Compositions comprising a biological control agent and an insecticide

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent and at least one insecticide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/404,019, filed Nov. 26, 2014, which is a §371 national phase entry ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/EP2013/061028, filed May 29,2013, which in turn claims priority to both European Patent ApplicationNo. 12169936.7, filed May 30, 2012, and European Patent Application No.12197139.4, filed Dec. 14, 2012. The contents of the aforementionedpatent applications are hereby incorporated by reference into thepresent disclosure.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least onebiological control agent selected from specific microorganisms and/or amutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics ofthe respective strain, and/or a metabolite produced by the respectivestrain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens and at least one specific insecticide in asynergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present inventionrelates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducingoverall damage of plants and plant parts.

Description of Related Art

Synthetic insecticides or fungicides often are non-specific andtherefore can act on organisms other than the target ones, includingother naturally occurring beneficial organisms. Because of theirchemical nature, they may be also toxic and non-biodegradable. Consumersworldwide are increasingly conscious of the potential environmental andhealth problems associated with the residuals of chemicals, particularlyin food products. This has resulted in growing consumer pressure toreduce the use or at least the quantity of chemical (i.e., synthetic)pesticides. Thus, there is a need to manage food chain requirementswhile still allowing effective pest control.

A further problem arising with the use of synthetic insecticides orfungicides is that the repeated and exclusive application of aninsecticide or fungicides often leads to selection of resistantmicroorganisms. Normally, such strains are also cross-resistant againstother active ingredients having the same mode of action. An effectivecontrol of the pathogens with said active compounds is then not possibleany longer. However, active ingredients having new mechanisms of actionare difficult and expensive to develop.

The risk of resistance development in pathogen populations as well asenvironmental and human health concerns have fostered interest inidentifying alternatives to synthetic insecticides and fungicides formanaging plant diseases. The use of biological control agents (BCAs) isone alternative. However, the effectiveness of most BCAs is not at thesame level as for conventional insecticides and fungicides, especiallyin case of severe infection pressure. Consequently, known biologicalcontrol agents, their mutants and metabolites produced by them are, inparticular in low application rates, not entirely satisfactory.

Thus, there is a constant need for developing new, alternative plantprotection agents which in some areas at least help to fulfill theabove-mentioned requirements.

WO 2009/037242 A2 relates to a fungicidal composition of one of twospecific fungicidal bacterial strains, namely Bacillus subtilis andBacillus pumilus, and a synthetic fungicide for controllingphytopathogenic harmful fungi. However, the control of insects is notmentioned at all.

WO 2010/108973 A2 describes a method for controlling harmful fungicomprising different sequential treatment blocks of plants with at leastone fungicidal biological control agent and at least one syntheticfungicide. Consequently, the control of insects is not addressed in thispatent application.

SUMMARY

In view of this, it was in particular an object of the present inventionto provide compositions which exhibit activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Moreover, it was a further particularobject of the present invention, to reduce the application rates andbroaden the activity spectrum of the biological control agents and theinsecticides, and thereby to provide a composition which, preferably ata reduced total amount of active compounds applied, has improvedactivity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Inparticular, it was a further object of the present invention to providea composition which, when applied to a crop, results in a decreasedamount of residues in the crop, thereby reducing the risk of resistanceformation and nevertheless provides efficient disease control.

Accordingly, it was found that these objects at least partly are solvedby the compositions according to the invention as defined in thefollowing. The composition according to the present invention preferablyfulfills the above-described needs. It has been surprisingly discoveredthat the application of the composition according to the presentinvention in a simultaneous or sequential way to plants, plant parts,harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant's locus of growth preferablyallows better control of insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogensthan it is possible with the strains, their mutants and/or theirmetabolites produced by the strains on the one hand and with theindividual insecticides on the other hand, alone (synergistic mixtures).By applying the biological control agent and the insecticide accordingto the invention the activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens is preferably increased in a superadditive manner.

As a consequence, the composition according to the present inventionpreferably allows a reduced total amount of active compounds to be usedand thus the crops which have been treated by this compositionpreferably show a decreased amount of residues in the crop. Accordingly,the risk of resistance formation of harmful microorganisms is decreased.

The present invention is directed to a composition comprising at leastone biological control agent selected from the group consisting ofBacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No. B-21618), Bacillusmycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664), Bacillus pumilus (NRRLAccession No. B-30087), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No.B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608), Bacillus sp.AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609), Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No.53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL Accession No. B-21665), Bacillussubtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ153(ATCC Accession No. 55614), Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21530), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619),Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547), Muscodor roseus A3-5(NRRL Accession No. 30548), Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21663), Streptomyces galbus (NRRL Accession No. 30232),Streptomyces sp. (NRRL Accession No. B-30145), Bacillus thuringiensissubspec. kurstaki BMP 123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No.B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455),and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifyingcharacteristics of the respective strain, and/or a metabolite producedby the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one insecticide selectedfrom the group consisting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)agonists and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allostericactivators in a synergistically effective amount.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a kit of parts comprisingat least one of the specific biological control agents and at least oneof the specific insecticides. The present invention is further directedto the use of said composition for reducing overall damage of plants andplant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables causedby insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

Moreover, the present invention provides a method for reducing overalldamage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruitsor vegetables caused by insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Biological Control Agents

In general a “pesticidal” means the ability of a substance to increasemortality or inhibit the growth rate of plant pests. The term is usedherein, to describe the property of a substance to exhibit activityagainst insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. In the sense ofthe present invention the term “pests” include insects, mites, nematodesand/or phytopathogens.

As used herein, “biological control” is defined as control of a pathogenand/or insect and/or an acarid and/or a nematode by the use of a secondorganism. Known mechanisms of biological control include entericbacteria that control root rot by out-competing fungi for space on thesurface of the root. Bacterial toxins, such as antibiotics, have beenused to control pathogens. The toxin can be isolated and applieddirectly to the plant or the bacterial species may be administered so itproduces the toxin in situ.

The term “metabolite” refers to any compound, substance or byproduct ofa fermentation of a said microorganism that has pesticidal activity.

The term “mutant” refers to a variant of the parental strain as well asmethods for obtaining a mutant or variant in which the pesticidalactivity is greater than that expressed by the parental strain. The“parent strain” is defined herein as the original strain beforemutagenesis. To obtain such mutants the parental strain may be treatedwith a chemical such as N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine,ethylmethanesulfone, or by irradiation using gamma, x-ray, orUV-irradiation, or by other means well known to those skilled in theart.

A “variant” is a strain having all the identifying characteristics ofthe NRRL or ATCC Accession Numbers as indicated in this text and can beidentified as having a genome that hybridizes under conditions of highstringency to the genome of the NRRL or ATCC Accession Numbers.

“Hybridization” refers to a reaction in which one or morepolynucleotides react to form a complex that is stabilized via hydrogenbonding between the bases of the nucleotide residues. The hydrogenbonding may occur by Watson-Crick base pairing, Hoogstein binding, or inany other sequence-specific manner. The complex may comprise two strandsforming a duplex structure, three or more strands forming amulti-stranded complex, a single self-hybridizing strand, or anycombination of these. Hybridization reactions can be performed underconditions of different “stringency”. In general, a low stringencyhybridization reaction is carried out at about 40° C. in 10×SSC or asolution of equivalent ionic strength/temperature. A moderate stringencyhybridization is typically performed at about 50° C. in 6×SSC, and ahigh stringency hybridization reaction is generally performed at about60° C. in 1×SSC.

A variant of the indicated NRRL or ATCC Accession Number may also bedefined as a strain having a genomic sequence that is greater than 85%,more preferably greater than 90% or more preferably greater than 95%sequence identity to the genome of the indicated NRRL or ATCC AccessionNumber. A polynucleotide or polynucleotide region (or a polypeptide orpolypeptide region) has a certain percentage (for example, 80%, 85%,90%, or 95%) of “sequence identity” to another sequence means that, whenaligned, that percentage of bases (or amino acids) are the same incomparing the two sequences. This alignment and the percent homology orsequence identity can be determined using software programs known in theart, for example, those described in Current Protocols in MolecularBiology (F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., 1987) Supplement 30, section 7. 7.18, Table 7. 7. 1.

NRRL is the abbreviation for the Agricultural Research Service CultureCollection, an international depositary authority for the purposes ofdeposing microorganism strains under the Budapest treaty on theinternational recognition of the deposit of microorganisms for thepurposes of patent procedure, having the address National Center forAgricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.Department of Agriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Ill.61604, U.S.A.

ATCC is the abbreviation for the American Type Culture Collection, aninternational depositary authority for the purposes of deposingmicroorganism strains under the Budapest treaty on the internationalrecognition of the deposit of microorganisms for the purposes of patentprocedure, having the address ATCC Patent Depository, 10801 UniversityBoulevard, Manassas, Va. 10110, U.S.A.

The biological control agents used in the present invention are known inthe art as follows:

-   Bacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No. B-21618) (in the    following sometimes referred to as B1) is known from WO 98/21966 A2.    It is specifically active against nematodes and insects and produces    non-exotoxin, non-proteinaceous, active metabolites in its    supernatant. Those metabolites are active against nematodes and    cockroaches, but inactive against flies, corn rootworm or beet    armyworm.-   Bacillus mycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664) (in the    following sometimes referred to as B2) and its water-soluble    metabolites kill or stunt insects such as corn rootworm larvae and    aphids (WO 99/09820 A1).

As described in WO 00/58442 A1 Bacillus pumilus QST2808 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-30087) (in the following sometimes referred to as B3) is able toinhibit a broad range of fungal plant diseases in vivo. Moreover, thecombination of this strain with Bacillus thuringiensis enhances theinsecticidal activity of the latter. Commercially available formulationsof this strain are sold under the tradenames SONATA® and BALLAD® PLUSfrom Bayer CropScience LP, U.S.A.

Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No. B-21662) (in the followingsometimes referred to as B4) is known from WO 99/10477 A1. It produces ametabolite that exhibits pesticidal activity against corn rootworms,nematodes and beet armyworms.

The bacterial strains Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608) (inthe following sometimes referred to as B5), Bacillus sp. AQ 177 (ATCCAccession No. 55609) (in the following sometimes referred to as B6) andBacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No. 53522) (in the followingsometimes referred to as B7) described in WO 98/21967 A1 are effectivein treating and protecting plants from aboveground fungal and bacterialinfections.

The metabolite-producing strain Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21665) (in the following sometimes referred to as B8) kills orstunts corn rootworm larvae, beet armyworm larvae, fly adults andnematodes (cf. WO 99/09819).

Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (Accession No. B-21661), also named Bacillussubtilis QST713, (in the following sometimes referred to as B9) exhibitsbroad fungicidal and bactericidal activity and also exhibits cornrootworm activity (WO 98/50422 A1). Commercially available formulationof this strain are available under the tradenames SERENADE® Max,SERENADE® SOIL, SERENADE® ASO, SERENADE® CPB and RHAPSODY® from BayerCropScience LP, U.S.A.

Bacillus subtilis AQ153 (ATCC Accession No. 55614) (in the followingsometimes referred to as B10) as described in WO 98/21964 A1 iseffective in inhibiting growth of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL Accession No. B-21530) (in thefollowing sometimes referred to as B11) exhibits insecticidal activity(U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,831 A). It produces a non-exotoxin,solvent-extractable, non-proteinaceous metabolite that is 100% effectivein killing corn rootworm. The biopesticide produced by this bacterialstrain is active against corn rootworm but inactive against flies.

According to WO 98/21965 A1 the antibiotic producing strain Bacillusthuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619) (in the followingsometimes referred to as B12) exhibits broad fungicidal and bactericidalactivity.

WO 02/02082898 A1 describes endophytic fungi including Muscodor albus620, also known as Moscodor albus QST 20799 (NRRL Accession No. 30547)(in the following sometimes referred to as B13) and Muscodor roseus A3-5(NRRL Accession No. 30548) (in the following sometimes referred to asB14) that produce a mixture of volatile antibiotics with activityagainst fungi, bacteria, insects, mites, and nematodes.

Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL Accession No. B-21663) (in thefollowing sometimes referred to as B15) produces metabolites thatexhibits pesticidal activity against corn rootworms (U.S. Pat. No.6,027,723 A).

WO 01/79480 A2 describes a strain of Streptomyces galbus (NRRL AccessionNo. 30232) (in the following sometimes referred to as B16) which showsinsecticidal activity against Lepidoptera.

The Streptomyces sp. strain described in WO 02/26041 A2 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-30145) (in the following sometimes referred to as B17) exhibitsantifungal activity on specific plant pathogens such as Alternaria,Phytophthora, Botrytis, Rhizoctoizia and Sclerotinia.

Commercially available formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis subspec.kurstaki BMP 123 (in the following sometimes referred to as B18) areavailable under the tradename BARITONE® from Bayer CropScience LP,U.S.A. It is exhibits insecticidal activity and is effective onlepidopterous insects, including loopers, armyworms and moths. BARITONE®is distributed subject to EPA Reg. No. 62637-5-69592.

The strains Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (also known as QST30002) (NRRLAccession No. B-50421, deposited on Oct. 5, 2010) (in the followingsometimes referred to as B19) and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (also knownas QST30004) (NRRL Accession No. B-50455, deposited on Oct. 5, 2010) (inthe following sometimes referred to as B20) are known from WO2012/087980 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. As describedtherein, these BCAs exhibit a broad fungicidal and bactericidalactivity. B19 and B20 have a mutation in the swrA gene that results inimpaired swarming ability and enhanced plant health promotion comparedto a strain containing a wildtype swrA gene. The mutation causes theseBCAs to form a more robust biofilm than the wildtype strain, therebyenhancing its fungicidal and bactericidal activity.

In a preferred embodiment the composition of the present invention ischaracterized in that the biological control agent is selected from thegroup consisting of Bacillus pumilus (NRRL Accession No. B-30087) andBacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661) and/or a mutant ofthese stains having all the identifying characteristics of therespective strain, and/or a metabolite produced by the respective strainthat exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens.

In another preferred embodiment the composition of the present inventionis characterized in that the biological control agent is selected fromthe group consisting of Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (also known asQST30002) (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (alsoknown as QST30004) (NRRL Accession No. B-50455, or a Bacillus subtilisstrain having a mutation in the swrA gene that results in impairedswarming ability and enhanced plant health promotion compared to astrain containing a wildtype swrA gene, and/or a mutant of these stainshaving all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain,and/or a metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibitsactivity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

In another preferred embodiment the composition of the present inventioncomprises a combination of at least two biological control agentsselected from the group consisting of Bacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRLAccession No. B-21618), Bacillus mycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No.B-21664), Bacillus pumilus (NRRL Accession No. B-30087), Bacilluspumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No. B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCCAccession No. 55608), Bacillus sp. AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609),Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No. 53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743(NRRL Accession No. B-21665), Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ153 (ATCC Accession No. 55614),Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL Accession No. B-21530), Bacillusthuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619), Muscodor albus 620(NRRL Accession No. 30547), Muscodor roseus A3-5 (NRRL Accession No.30548), Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL Accession No. B-21663),Streptomyces galbus (NRRL Accession No. 30232), Streptomyces sp. (NRRLAccession No. B-30145), Bacillus thuringiensis subspec. kurstaki BMP123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), andBacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455) and/or a mutantof these strains having all the identifying characteristics of therespective strain, and/or a metabolite produced by the respective strainthat exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the biologicalcontrol agent comprises not only the isolated, pure cultures of therespective microorganisms, but also their suspensions in a whole brothculture or a metabolite-containing supernatant or a purified metaboliteobtained from whole broth culture of the strain. “Whole broth culture”refers to a liquid culture containing both cells and media.“Supernatant” refers to the liquid broth remaining when cells grown inbroth are removed by centrifugation, filtration, sedimentation, or othermeans well known in the art.

The above-mentioned metabolites produced by the nonpathogenicmicroorganisms include antibiotics, enzymes, siderophores and growthpromoting agents, for example zwittermicin-A, kanosamine, polyoxine,enzymes such as α-amylase, chitinases, and pektinases, phytohormones andprecursors thereof, such as auxines, gibberlin-like substacnes,cytokinin-like compounds, lipopeptides such as iturins, plipastatins orsurfactins, e.g., agrastatin A, bacillomycin D, bacilysin, difficidin,macrolactin, fengycin, bacilysin and bacilaene. Preferred metabolites ofthe above listed are lipopeptides, in particular those produced byBacillus pumilus (NRRL Accession No. B-30087) or Bacillus subtilis AQ713(NRRL Accession No. B-21661). Especially preferred metabolites areIturin A, Surfactin, Plipstatin and Agrastatin A. An even more preferredmetabolite is agrastatin A.

According to the invention, the biological control agent may be employedor used in any physiologic state such as active or dormant.

Insecticides

“Insecticides” as well as the term “insecticidal” refers to the abilityof a substance to increase mortality or inhibit growth rate of insects.As used herein, the term “insects” includes all organisms in the class“Insecta”. The term “pre-adult” insects refers to any form of anorganism prior to the adult stage, including, for example, eggs, larvae,and nymphs.

“Nematicides” and “nematicidal” refers to the ability of a substance toincrease mortality or inhibit the growth rate of nematodes. In general,the term “nematode” comprises eggs, larvae, juvenile and mature forms ofsaid organism.

“Acaricide” and “acaricidal” refers to the ability of a substance toincrease mortality or inhibit growth rate of ectoparasites belonging tothe class Arachnida, sub-class Acari.

The active ingredients specified herein by their “common name” are knownand described, for example, in the Pesticide Manual (“The PesticideManual”, 14th Ed., British Crop Protection Council 2006) or can besearched in the internet (e.g., http://www.alanwood.net/pesticides).

The at least one insecticide according to the present invention isselected from the group consisting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(nAChR) agonists and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allostericactivators.

In a preferred embodiment the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)agonist is selected from the group consisting of neonicotinoids,Nicotine (I148) and Sulfoxaflor (I149).

In another preferred embodiment the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(nAChR) allosteric activator is a spinosyn.

In a more preferred embodiment the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor(nAChR) agonist is selected from the group consisting of Acetamiprid(I141), Clothianidin (I142), Dinotefuran (I143), Imidacloprid (I144),Nitenpyram (I145), Thiacloprid (I146), Thiamethoxam (I147), Nicotine(I148), and Sulfoxaflor (I149).

Still preferably, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)allosteric activator is selected from the group consisting of Spinetoram(I150), and Spinosad (I151).

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the atleast one insecticide is selected from the group consisting ofAcetamiprid (I141), Clothianidin (I142), Dinotefuran (I143),Imidacloprid (I144), Sulfoxaflor (I149), Thiacloprid (I146),Thiamethoxam (I147), Spinetoram (I150), and Spinosad (I151).

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention theat least one insecticide is selected from the group consisting ofClothianidin (I142), Imidacloprid (I144), Thiacloprid (I146),Thiamethoxam (I147), Sulfoxaflor (I149), Spinetoram (I150), and Spinosad(I151).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the insecticide, e.g., theinsecticide for use in seed treatment, is selected from the groupconsisting of Clothianidin (I142), Imidacloprid (I144), Sulfoxaflor(I149), Thiametoxam (I147), and Spinosad (I151).

In one embodiment of the present invention the composition comprises afurther insecticide which is different from the insecticide and thebiological control agent as defined above.

Preferably, this further insecticide is selected from the groupconsisting of

-   (1) Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, for example-   carbamates, e.g., Alanycarb (I1), Aldicarb (I2), Bendiocarb (I3),    Benfuracarb (I4), Butocarboxim (I5), Butoxycarboxim (I6), Carbaryl    (I7), Carbofuran (I8), Carbosulfan (I9), Ethiofencarb (I10),    Fenobucarb (I11), Formetanate (I12), Furathiocarb (I13), Isoprocarb    (I14), Methiocarb (I15), Methomyl (I16), Metolcarb (I17), Oxamyl    (I18), Pirimicarb (I19), Propoxur (I20), Thiodicarb (I21), Thiofanox    (I22), Triazamate (I23), Trimethacarb (I24), XMC (I25), and    Xylylcarb (I26); or-   organophosphates, e.g., Acephate (I27), Azamethiphos (I28),    Azinphos-ethyl (I29), Azinphos-methyl (I30), Cadusafos (I31),    Chlorethoxyfos (I32), Chlorfenvinphos (I33), Chlormephos (I34),    Chlorpyrifos (I35), Chlorpyrifos-methyl (I36), Coumaphos (I37),    Cyanophos (I38), Demeton-S-methyl (I39), Diazinon (I40),    Dichlorvos/DDVP (I41), Dicrotophos (I42), Dimethoate (I43),    Dimethylvinphos (I44), Disulfoton (I45), EPN (I46), Ethion (I47),    Ethoprophos (I48), Famphur (I49), Fenamiphos (I50), Fenitrothion    (I51), Fenthion (I52), Fosthiazate (I53), Heptenophos (I54),    Imicyafos (I55), Isofenphos (I56), Isopropyl    O-(methoxyaminothio-phosphoryl) salicylate (I57), Isoxathion (I58),    Malathion (I59), Mecarbam (I60), Methamidophos (I61), Methidathion    (I62), Mevinphos (I63), Monocrotophos (I64), Naled (I65), Omethoate    (I66), Oxydemeton-methyl (I67), Parathion (I68), Parathion-methyl    (I69), Phenthoate (I70), Phorate (I71), Phosalone (I72), Phosmet    (I73), Phosphamidon (I74), Phoxim (I75), Pirimiphos-methyl (I76),    Profenofos (I77), Propetamphos (I78), Prothiofos (I79), Pyraclofos    (I80), Pyridaphenthion (I81), Quinalphos (I82), Sulfotep (I83),    Tebupirimfos (I84), Temephos (I85), Terbufos (I86),    Tetrachlorvinphos (I87), Thiometon (I88), Triazophos (I89),    Trichlorfon (I90), and Vamidothion (I91);-   (2) GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, for example-   cyclodiene organochlorines, e.g., Chlordane (I92) and Endosulfan    (I93); or-   phenylpyrazoles (fiproles), e.g., Ethiprole (I94) and Fipronil    (I95);-   (3) Sodium channel modulators/voltage-dependent sodium channel    blockers, for example pyrethroids, e.g., Acrinathrin (I96),    Allethrin (I97), d-cis-trans Allethrin (I98), d-trans Allethrin    (I99), Bifenthrin (I100), Bioallethrin (I101), Bioallethrin    S-cyclopentenyl isomer (I102), Bioresmethrin (I103), Cycloprothrin    (I104), Cyfluthrin (I105), beta-Cyfluthrin (I106), Cyhalothrin    (I107), lambda-Cyhalothrin (I108), gamma-Cyhalothrin (I109),    Cypermethrin (I110), alpha-Cypermethrin (I111), beta-Cypermethrin    (I112), theta-Cypermethrin (I113), zeta-Cypermethrin (I114),    Cyphenothrin [(1R)-trans isomers] (I115), Deltamethrin (I116),    Empenthrin [(EZ)-(1R) isomers) (I117), Esfenvalerate (I118),    Etofenprox (I119), Fenpropathrin (I120), Fenvalerate (I121),    Flucythrinate (I122), Flumethrin (I123), tau-Fluvalinate (I124),    Halfenprox (I125), Imiprothrin (I126), Kadethrin (I127), Permethrin    (I128), Phenothrin [(1R)-trans isomer) (I129), Prallethrin (I130),    Pyrethrine (pyrethrum) (I131), Resmethrin (I132), Silafluofen    (I133), Tefluthrin (I134), Tetramethrin (I135), Tetramethrin [(1R)    isomers)] (I136), Tralomethrin (I137), and Transfluthrin (I138); or    DDT (I139); or Methoxychlor (I140);-   (4) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, for example    neonicotinoids, e.g., Acetamiprid (I141), Clothianidin (I142),    Dinotefuran (I143), Imidacloprid (I144), Nitenpyram (I145),    Thiacloprid (I146), and Thiamethoxam (I147); or Nicotine (I148); or    Sulfoxaflor (I149).-   (5) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric activators,    for example spinosyns, e.g., Spinetoram (I150) and Spinosad (I151);-   (6) Chloride channel activators, for example    avermectins/milbemycins, e.g., Abamectin (I152), Emamectin benzoate    (I153), Lepimectin (I154), and Milbemectin (I155);-   (7) Juvenile hormone mimics, for example juvenile hormon analogues,    e.g., Hydroprene (I156), Kinoprene (I157), and Methoprene (I158); or    Fenoxycarb (I159); or Pyriproxyfen (I160);-   (8) Miscellaneous non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors, for example    alkyl halides, e.g., Methyl bromide (I161) and other alkyl halides;    or Chloropicrin (I162); or Sulfuryl fluoride (I163); or Borax    (I164); or Tartar emetic (I165);-   (9) Selective homopteran feeding blockers, e.g., Pymetrozine (I166);    or Flonicamid (I167);-   (10) Mite growth inhibitors, e.g., Clofentezine (I168), Hexythiazox    (I169), and Diflovidazin (I170); or Etoxazole (I171);-   (11) Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes, e.g., Bacillus    thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (I172), Bacillus thuringiensis    subspecies aizawai (I173), Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies    kurstaki (I174), Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis    (I175), and B.t. crop proteins: Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa, Cry1A.105,    Cry2Ab, Vip3A, mCry3A, Cry3Ab, Cry3Bb, Cry34 Ab1/35Ab1 (I176); or    Bacillus sphaericus (I177);-   (12) Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase, for example    Diafenthiuron (I178); or organotin miticides, e.g., Azocyclotin    (I179), Cyhexatin (I180), and Fenbutatin oxide (I181); or Propargite    (I182); or Tetradifon (I183);-   (13) Uncouplers of oxidative phoshorylation via disruption of the    proton gradient, for example Chlorfenapyr (I184), DNOC (I185), and    Sulfluramid (I186);-   (14) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers, for    example Bensultap (I187), Cartap hydrochloride (I188), Thiocyclam    (I189), and Thiosultap-sodium (I190);-   (15) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0, for example    Bistrifluron (I191), Chlorfluazuron (I192), Diflubenzuron (I193),    Flucycloxuron (I194), Flufenoxuron (I195), Hexaflumuron (I196),    Lufenuron (I197), Novaluron (I198), Noviflumuron (I199),    Teflubenzuron (I200), and Triflumuron (I201);-   (16) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1, for example    Buprofezin (I202);-   (17) Moulting disruptors, for example Cyromazine (I203);-   (18) Ecdysone receptor agonists, for example Chromafenozide (I204),    Halofenozide (I205), Methoxyfenozide (I206), and Tebufenozide    (I207);-   (19) Octopamine receptor agonists, for example Amitraz (I208);-   (20) Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors, for    example Hydramethylnon (I209); or Acequinocyl (I210); or    Fluacrypyrim (I211);-   (21) Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors, for    example METI acaricides, e.g., Fenazaquin (I212), Fenpyroximate    (I213), Pyrimidifen (I214), Pyridaben (I215), Tebufenpyrad (I216),    and Tolfenpyrad (I217); or Rotenone (Derris) (I218);-   (22) Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, e.g., Indoxacarb    (I219); or Metaflumizone (I220);-   (23) Inhibitors of acetyl CoA carboxylase, for example tetronic and    tetramic acid derivatives, e.g., Spirodiclofen (I221), Spiromesifen    (I222), and Spirotetramat (I223);-   (24) Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors, for    example phosphines, e.g., Aluminium phosphide (I224), Calcium    phosphide (I225), Phosphine (I226), and Zinc phosphide (I227); or    Cyanide (I228);-   (25) Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors, for    example beta-ketonitrile derivatives, e.g., Cyenopyrafen (I229) and    Cyflumetofen (I230);-   (28) Ryanodine receptor modulators, for example diamides, e.g.,    Chlorantraniliprole (I231), Cyantraniliprole (I232), and    Flubendiamide (I233);-   Further active ingredients with unknown or uncertain mode of action,    for example Amidoflumet (I234), Azadirachtin (I235), Benclothiaz    (I236), Benzoximate (I237), Bifenazate (I238), Bromopropylate    (I239), Chinomethionat (I240), Cryolite (I241), Dicofol (I242),    Diflovidazin (I243), Fluensulfone (I244), Flufenerim (I245),    Flufiprole (I246), Fluopyram (I247), Fufenozide (I248), Imidaclothiz    (I249), Iprodione (I250), Meperfluthrin (I251), Pyridalyl (I252),    Pyrifluquinazon (I253), Tetramethylfluthrin (I254), and iodomethane    (I255); furthermore products based on Bacillus firmus (including but    not limited to strain CNCM 1-1582, such as, for example, VOTiVO™,    BioNem) (I256) or one of the following known active compounds:    3-bromo-N-{2-bromo-4-chloro-6-[(1-cyclopropylethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I257) (known from WO 2005/077934),    4-{[(6-bromopyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I258) (known from WO 2007/115644),    4-{[(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I259) (known from WO 2007/115644),    4-{[(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I260) (known from WO 2007/115644),    4-{[(6-chlorpyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I261) (known from WO 2007/115644), Flupyradifurone (I262),    4-{[(6-chlor-5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I263) (known from WO 2007/115643),    4-{[(5,6-dichloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2-fluoroethyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I264) (known from WO 2007/115646),    4-{[(6-chloro-5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I265) (known from WO 2007/115643),    4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one    (I266) (known from EP-A-0 539 588),    4-{[(6-chlorpyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}furan-2(5H)-one (I267)    (known from EP-A-0 539 588),    {[1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide    (I268) (known from WO 2007/149134) and its diastereomers    {[(1R)-1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide (A)    (I269), and    {[(1S)-1-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)ethyl](methyl)oxido-λ4-sulfanylidene}cyanamide (B)    (I270) (also known from WO 2007/149134) as well as diastereomers    [(R)-methyl(oxido)    {(1R)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide    (A1) (I271), and    [(S)-methyl(oxido){(1S)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide    (A2) (I272), referred to as group of diastereomers A (known from WO    2010/074747, WO 2010/074751),    [(R)-methyl(oxido){(1S)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide    (B1) (I273), and    [(S)-methyl(oxido){(1R)-1-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl]ethyl}-λ4-sulfanylidene]cyanamide    (B2) (I274), referred to as group of diastereomers B (also known    from WO 2010/074747, WO 2010/074751), and    11-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)-12-hydroxy-1,4-dioxa-9-azadispiro[4.2.4.2]tetradec-11-en-10-one    (I275) (known from WO 2006/089633),    3-(4′-fluoro-2,4-dimethylbiphenyl-3-yl)-4-hydroxy-8-oxa-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one    (I276) (known from WO 2008/067911),    1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine    (I277) (known from WO 2006/043635), Afidopyropen    [(3S,4aR,12R,12aS,12bS)-3-[(cyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy]-6,12-dihydroxy-4,12b-dimethyl-11-oxo-9-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,12,12a,12b-decahydro-2H,11H-benzo[f]pyrano[4,3-b]chromen-4-yl]methyl    cyclopropanecarboxylate (I278) (known from WO 2008/066153),    2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N,N-dimethylbenzenesulfonamide (I279)    (known from WO 2006/056433),    2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N-methylbenzenesulfonamide (I280) (known    from WO 2006/100288),    2-cyano-3-(difluoromethoxy)-N-ethylbenzenesulfonamide (I281) (known    from WO 2005/035486),    4-(difluoromethoxy)-N-ethyl-N-methyl-1,2-benzothiazol-3-amine    1,1-dioxide (I282) (known from WO 2007/057407),    N-[1-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-2-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1,3-thiazol-2-amine    (I283) (known from WO 2008/104503),    {1′-[(2E)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-yl]-5-fluorospiro[indole-3,4′-piperidin]-1(2H)-yl}(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)methanone    (I284) (known from WO 2003/106457),    3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-8-methoxy-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-2-one    (I285) (known from WO 2009/049851),    3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-8-methoxy-2-oxo-1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]dec-3-en-4-yl    ethyl carbonate (I286) (known from WO 2009/049851),    4-(but-2-yn-1-yloxy)-6-(3,5-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl)-5-fluoropyrimidine    (I287) (known from WO 2004/099160),    (2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl)(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)malononitrile    (I288) (known from WO 2005/063094),    (2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl)(3,3,4,4,4-pentafluorobutyl)malononitrile    (I289) (known from WO 2005/063094),    8-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-3-[6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazin-3-yl]-3-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane    (I290) (known from WO 2007/040280), Flometoquin (I291), PF1364    (CAS-Reg. No. 1204776-60-2) (I292) (known from JP2010/018586),    5-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzonitrile    (I293) (known from WO 2007/075459),    5-[5-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)benzonitrile    (I294) (known from WO 2007/075459),    4-[5-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-2-methyl-N-{2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide    (I295) (known from WO 2005/085216),    4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](cyclopropyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one    (I296),    4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](2,2-difluoroethyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one    (I297),    4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](ethyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one    (I298),    4-{[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl](methyl)amino}-1,3-oxazol-2(5H)-one    (I299) (all known from WO 2010/005692), Pyflubumide    N-[4-(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-methoxypropan-2-yl)-3-isobutylphenyl]-N-isobutyryl-1,3,5-trimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide    (I300) (known from WO 2002/096882), methyl    2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-chloro-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I301) (known from WO 2005/085216), methyl    2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I302) (known from WO 2005/085216), methyl    2-[2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-cyano-3-methylbenzoyl]-2-methylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I303) (known from WO 2005/085216), methyl    2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-1,2-diethylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I304) (known from WO 2005/085216), methyl    2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I305) (known from WO 2005/085216),    (5RS,7RS;5RS,7SR)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-7-methyl-8-nitro-5-propoxyimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine    (I306) (known from WO 2007/101369),    2-{6-[2-(5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}pyrimidine    (I307) (known from WO 2010/006713),    2-{6-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]pyridin-2-yl}pyrimidine    (I308) (known from WO 2010/006713),    1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I309) (known from WO 2010/069502),    1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I310) (known from WO 2010/069502),    N-[2-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-cyano-6-methylphenyl]-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I311) (known from WO 2010/069502),    N-[2-(tert-butylcarbamoyl)-4-cyano-6-methylphenyl]-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I312) (known from WO 2010/069502),    (1E)-N-[(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)methyl]-N′-cyano-N-(2,2-difluoroethyl)ethanimidamide    (I313) (known from WO 2008/009360),    N-[2-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-chloro-6-methylphenyl]-3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide    (I314) (known from CN102057925), and methyl    2-[3,5-dibromo-2-({[3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)benzoyl]-2-ethyl-1-methylhydrazinecarboxylate    (I315) (known from WO 2011/049233).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the insecticide is asynthetic insecticide. As used herein, the term “synthetic” defines acompound that has not been obtained from a biological control agent.Especially a synthetic insecticide or fungicide is no metabolite of thebiological control agents according to the present invention.

Compositions according to the Present Invention

According to the present invention the composition comprises at leastone biological control agent selected from the group consisting ofBacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No. B-21618), Bacillusmycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664), Bacillus pumilus (NRRLAccession No. B-30087), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No.B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608), Bacillus sp.AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609), Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No.53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL Accession No. B-21665), Bacillussubtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ153(ATCC Accession No. 55614), Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21530), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619),Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547), Muscodor roseus A3-5(NRRL Accession No. 30548), Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21663), Streptomyces galbus (NRRL Accession No. 30232),Streptomyces sp. (NRRL Accession No. B-30145), Bacillus thuringiensissubspec. kurstaki BMP 123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No.B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455)and/or a mutant of these stains having all the identifyingcharacteristics of the respective strain, and/or a metabolite producedby the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one insecticide selectedfrom the group consisting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)agonists and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allostericactivators, in a synergistically effective amount.

A “synergistically effective amount” according to the present inventionrepresents a quantity of a combination of a biological control agent andan insecticide that is statistically significantly more effectiveagainst insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens than thebiological control agent or the insecticide only.

In a preferred embodiment the composition according to the presentinvention comprises the following combinations:

-   B1+I141, B1+I142, B1+I143, B1+I144, B1+I145, B1+I146, B1+I147,    B1+I148, B1+I149, B1+I150, B1+I151,-   B2+I141, B2+I142, B2+I143, B2+I144, B2+I145, B2+I146, B2+I147,    B2+I148, B2+I149, B2+I150, B2+I151,-   B3+I141, B3+I142, B3+I143, B3+I144, B3+I145, B3+I146, B3+I147,    B3+I148, B3+I149, B3+I150, B3+I151,-   B4+I141, B4+I142, B4+I143, B4+I144, B4+I145, B4+I146, B4+I147,    B4+I148, B4+I149, B4+I150, B4+I151,-   B5+I141, B5+I142, B5+I143, B5+I144, B5+I145, B5+I146, B5+I147,    B5+I148, B5+I149, B5+I150, B5+I151,-   B6+I141, B6+I142, B6+I143, B6+I144, B6+I145, B6+I146, B6+I147,    B6+I148, B6+I149, B6+I150, B6+I151,-   B7+I141, B7+I142, B7+I143, B7+I144, B7+I145, B7+I146, B7+I147,    B7+I148, B7+I149, B7+I150, B7+I151,-   B8+I141, B8+I142, B8+I143, B8+I144, B8+I145, B8+I146, B8+I147,    B8+I148, B8+I149, B8+I150, B8+I151,-   B9+I141, B9+I142, B9+I143, B9+I144, B9+I145, B9+I146, B9+I147,    B9+I148, B9+I149, B9+I150, B9+I151,-   B10+I141, B10+I142, B10+I143, B10+I144, B10+I145, B10+I146,    B10+I147, B10+I148, B10+I149, B10+I150, B10+I151,-   B11+I141, B11+I142, B11+I143, B11+I144, B11+I145, B11+I146,    B11+I147, B11+I148, B11+I149, B11+I150, B11+I151,-   B12+I141, B12+I142, B12+I143, B12+I144, B12+I145, B12+I146,    B12+I147, B12+I148, B12+I149, B12+I150, B12+I151,-   B13+I141, B13+I142, B13+I143, B13+I144, B13+I145, B13+I146,    B13+I147, B13+I148, B13+I149, B13+I150, B13+I151,-   B14+I141, B14+I142, B14+I143, B14+I144, B14+I145, B14+I146,    B14+I147, B14+I148, B14+I149, B14+I150, B14+I151,-   B15+I141, B15+I142, B15+I143, B15+I144, B15+I145, B15+I146,    B15+I147, B15+I148, B15+I149, B15+I150, B15+I151,-   B16+I141, B16+I142, B16+I143, B16+I144, B16+I145, B16+I146,    B16+I147, B16+I148, B16+I149, B16+I150, B16+I151,-   B17+I141, B17+I142, B17+I143, B17+I144, B17+I145, B17+I146,    B17+I147, B17+I148, B17+I149, B17+I150, B17+I151,-   B18+I141, B18+I142, B18+I143, B18+I144, B18+I145, B18+I146,    B18+I147, B18+I148, B18+I149, B18+I150, B18+I151,-   B19+I141, B19+I142, B19+I143, B19+I144, B19+I145, B19+I146,    B19+I147, B19+I148, B19+I149, B19+I150, B19+I151,-   B20+I141, B20+I142, B20+I143, B20+I144, B20+I145, B20+I146,    B20+I147, B20+I148, B20+I149, B20+I150, B20+I151.

Most preferably, the composition according to the present invention isselected from the group of combinations consisting of:

-   B1+I141, B1+I142, B1+I143, B1+I144, B1+I146, B1+I147, B1+I149,    B1+I150, B1+I151,-   B2+I141, B2+I142, B2+I143, B2+I144, B2+I146, B2+I147, B2+I149,    B2+I150, B2+I151,-   B3+I141, B3+I142, B3+I143, B3+I144, B3+I146, B3+I147, B3+I149,    B3+I150, B3+I151,-   B4+I141, B4+I142, B4+I143, B4+I144, B4+I146, B4+I147, B4+I149,    B4+I150, B4+I151,-   B5+I141, B5+I142, B5+I143, B5+I144, B5+I146, B5+I147, B5+I149,    B5+I150, B5+I151,-   B6+I141, B6+I142, B6+I143, B6+I144, B6+I146, B6+I147, B6+I149,    B6+I150, B6+I151,-   B7+I141, B7+I142, B7+I143, B7+I144, B7+I146, B7+I147, B7+I149,    B7+I150, B7+I151,-   B8+I141, B8+I142, B8+I143, B8+I144, B8+I146, B8+I147, B8+I149,    B8+I150, B8+I151,-   B9+I141, B9+I142, B9+I143, B9+I144, B9+I146, B9+I147, B9+I149,    B9+I150, B9+I151,-   B10+I141, B10+I142, B10+I143, B10+I144, B10+I146, B10+I147,    B10+I149, B10+I150, B10+I151,-   B11+I141, B11+I142, B11+I143, B11+I144, B11+I146, B11+I147,    B11+I149, B11+I150, B11+I151,-   B12+I141, B12+I142, B12+I143, B12+I144, B12+I146, B12+I147,    B12+I149, B12+I150, B12+I151,-   B13+I141, B13+I142, B13+I143, B13+I144, B13+I146, B13+I147,    B13+I149, B13+I150, B13+I151,-   B14+I141, B14+I142, B14+I143, B14+I144, B14+I146, B14+I147,    B14+I149, B14+I150, B14+I151,-   B15+I141, B15+I142, B15+I143, B15+I144, B15+I146, B15+I147,    B15+I149, B15+I150, B15+I151,-   B16+I141, B16+I142, B16+I143, B16+I144, B16+I146, B16+I147,    B16+I149, B16+I150, B16+I151,-   B17+I141, B17+I142, B17+I143, B17+I144, B17+I146, B17+I147,    B17+I149, B17+I150, B17+I151,-   B18+I141, B18+I142, B18+I143, B18+I144, B18+I146, B18+I147,    B18+I149, B18+I150, B18+I151,-   B19+I141, B19+I142, B19+I143, B19+I144, B19+I146, B19+I147,    B19+I149, B19+I150, B19+I151,-   B20+I141, B20+I142, B20+I143, B20+I144, B20+I146, B20+I147,    B20+I149, B20+I150, B20+I151.

Still preferably, the composition according to the present invention isselected from the group of combinations consisting of:

-   B1+I142, B1+I144, B1+I146, B1+I147, B1+I149, B1+I150, B1+I151,    B2+I142, B2+I144, B2+I146, B2+I147, B2+I149, B2+I150, B2+I151,    B3+I142, B3+I144, B3+I146, B3+I147, B3+I149, B3+I150, B3+I151,    B4+I142, B4+I144, B4+I146, B4+I147, B4+I149, B4+I150, B4+I151,    B5+I142, B5+I144, B5+I146, B5+I147, B5+I149, B5+I150, B5+I151,    B6+I142, B6+I144, B6+I146, B6+I147, B6+I149, B6+I150, B6+I151,    B7+I142B7+I144, B7+I146, B7+I147, B7+I149, B7+I150, B7+I151,    B8+I142, B8+I144, B8+I146, B8+I147, B8+I149, B8+I150, B8+I151,    B9+I142, B9+I144, B9+I146, B9+I147, B9+I149, B9+I150, B9+I151,    B10+I142, B10+I143, B10+I146, B10+I147, B10+I149, B10+I150,    B10+I151, B11+I142, B11+I144, B11+I146, B11+I147, B11+I149,    B11+I150, B11+I151, B12+I142, B12+I144, B12+I146, B12+I147,    B12+I149, B12+I150, B12+I151, B13+I142, B13+I144, B13+I146,    B13+I147, B13+I149, B13+I150, B13+I151, B14+I142, B14+I144,    B14+I146, B14+I147, B14+I149, B14+I150, B14+I151, B15+I142,    B15+I144, B15+I146, B15+I147, B15+I149, B15+I150, B15+I151,    B16+I142, B16+I144, B16+I146, B16+I147, B16+I149, B16+I150,    B16+I151, B17+I142, B17+I144, B17+I146, B17+I147, B17+I149,    B17+I150, B17+I151, B18+I142, B18+I144, B18+I146, B18+I147,    B18+I149, B18+I150, B18+I151, B19+I142, B19+I144, B19+I146,    B19+I147, B19+I149, B19+I150, B19+I151, B20+I142, B20+I144,    B20+I146, B20+I147, B20+I149, B20+I150, B20+I151.

Still preferably, the composition according to the present invention isselected from the group of combinations consisting of:

-   B9+I142, B3+I142, B16+I142, B19+I142, B9+I147, B16+I147, B19+I147,    B9+I144, B3+I144, B16+I144, B19+I144, B9+I149, B3+I149, B19+I149,    B3+I146, B9+I146, B16+I146, B19+I146, B9+I150, B3+I150, B16+I150,    B19+I150, B3+I151, B9+I151, B16+I151, B19+I151.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the compositionfurther comprises at least one fungicide, with the proviso that thebiological control agent and the fungicide are not identical.

Fungicides

In general, “fungicidal” means the ability of a substance to increasemortality or inhibit the growth rate of fungi.

The term “fungus” or “fungi” includes a wide variety of nucleatedsporebearing organisms that are devoid of chlorophyll. Examples of fungiinclude yeasts, molds, mildews, rusts, and mushrooms.

Preferably, the fungicide is selected so as not to have any fungicidalactivity against the biological control agent according to the presentinvention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention preferredfungicides are selected from the group consisting of

-   (1) Inhibitors of the ergosterol biosynthesis, for example (F1)    aldimorph (1704-28-5), (F2) azaconazole (60207-31-0), (F3)    bitertanol (55179-31-2), (F4) bromuconazole (116255-48-2), (F5)    cyproconazole (113096-99-4), (F6) diclobutrazole (75736-33-3), (F7)    difenoconazole (119446-68-3), (F8) diniconazole (83657-24-3), (F9)    diniconazole-M (83657-18-5), (F10) dodemorph (1593-77-7), (F11)    dodemorph acetate (31717-87-0), (F12) epoxiconazole (106325-08-0),    (F13) etaconazole (60207-93-4), (F14) fenarimol (60168-88-9), (F15)    fenbuconazole (114369-43-6), (F16) fenhexamid (126833-17-8), (F17)    fenpropidin (67306-00-7), (F18) fenpropimorph (67306-03-0), (F19)    fluquinconazole (136426-54-5), (F20) flurprimidol (56425-91-3),    (F21) flusilazole (85509-19-9), (F22) flutriafol (76674-21-0), (F23)    furconazole (112839-33-5), (F24) furconazole-cis (112839-32-4),    (F25) hexaconazole (79983-71-4), (F26) imazalil (60534-80-7), (F27)    imazalil sulfate (58594-72-2), (F28) imibenconazole (86598-92-7),    (F29) ipconazole (125225-28-7), (F30) metconazole (125116-23-6),    (F31) myclobutanil (88671-89-0), (F32) naftifine (65472-88-0), (F33)    nuarimol (63284-71-9), (F34) oxpoconazole (174212-12-5), (F35)    paclobutrazol (76738-62-0), (F36) pefurazoate (101903-30-4), (F37)    penconazole (66246-88-6), (F38) piperalin (3478-94-2), (F39)    prochloraz (67747-09-5), (F40) propiconazole (60207-90-1), (F41)    prothioconazole (178928-70-6), (F42) pyributicarb (88678-67-5),    (F43) pyrifenox (88283-41-4), (F44) quinconazole (103970-75-8),    (F45) simeconazole (149508-90-7), (F46) spiroxamine (118134-30-8),    (F47) tebuconazole (107534-96-3), (F48) terbinafine (91161-71-6),    (F49) tetraconazole (112281-77-3), (F50) triadimefon (43121-43-3),    (F51) triadimenol (89482-17-7), (F52) tridemorph (81412-43-3), (F53)    triflumizole (68694-11-1), (F54) triforine (26644-46-2), (F55)    triticonazole (131983-72-7), (F56) uniconazole (83657-22-1), (F57)    uniconazole-p (83657-17-4), (F58) viniconazole (77174-66-4), (F59)    voriconazole (137234-62-9), (F60)    1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol    (129586-32-9), (F61) methyl    1-(2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate    (110323-95-0), (F62)    N′-{5-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,    (F63)    N-ethyl-N-methyl-N′-{2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-[3-(trimethylsilyl)propoxy]phenyl}imidoformamide,    (F64)    O-[1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl]1H-imidazole-1-carbothioate    (111226-71-2);-   (2) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex I or II, for    example (F65) bixafen (581809-46-3), (F66) boscalid (188425-85-6),    (F67) carboxin (5234-68-4), (F68) diflumetorim (130339-07-0), (F69)    fenfuram (24691-80-3), (F70) fluopyram (658066-35-4), (F71)    flutolanil (66332-96-5), (F72) fluxapyroxad (907204-31-3), (F73)    furametpyr (123572-88-3), (F74) furmecyclox (60568-05-0), (F75)    isopyrazam (mixture of syn-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and    anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR) (881685-58-1), (F76) isopyrazam    (anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR), (F77) isopyrazam    (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S), (F78) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric    enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), (F79) isopyrazam (syn epimeric racemate    1RS,4SR,9RS), (F80) isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R),    (F81) isopyrazam (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), (F82) mepronil    (55814-41-0), (F83) oxycarboxin (5259-88-1), (F84) penflufen    (494793-67-8), (F85) penthiopyrad (183675-82-3), (F86) sedaxane    (874967-67-6), (F87) thifluzamide (130000-40-7), (F88)    1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F89)    3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F90)    3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4-fluoro-2-(1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F91)    N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide    (1092400-95-7), (F92)    5,8-difluoro-N-[2-(2-fluoro-4-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethyl]quinazolin-4-amine    (1210070-84-0), (F93) benzovindiflupyr, (F94)    N-[(1S,4R)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F95)    N-[(1R,4S)-9-(dichloromethylene)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalen-5-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F96)    3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F97)    1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F98)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F99)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1S)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F100)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1R)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F101)    3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F102)    3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F103)    1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F104)    1,3,5-Trimethyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid;-   (3) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, for example    (F105) ametoctradin (865318-97-4), (F106) amisulbrom (348635-87-0),    (F107) azoxystrobin (131860-33-8), (F108) cyazofamid (120116-88-3),    (F109) coumethoxystrobin (850881-30-0), (F110) coumoxystrobin    (850881-70-8), (F111) dimoxystrobin (141600-52-4), (F112)    enestroburin (238410-11-2), (F113) famoxadone (131807-57-3), (F114)    fenamidone (161326-34-7), (F115) fenoxystrobin (918162-02-4), (F116)    fluoxastrobin (361377-29-9), (F117) kresoxim-methyl (143390-89-0),    (F118) metominostrobin (133408-50-1), (F119) orysastrobin    (189892-69-1), (F120) picoxystrobin (117428-22-5), (F121)    pyraclostrobin (175013-18-0), (F122) pyrametostrobin (915410-70-7),    (F123) pyraoxystrobin (862588-11-2), (F124) pyribencarb    (799247-52-2), (F125) triclopyricarb (902760-40-1), (F126)    trifloxystrobin (141517-21-7), (F127)    (2E)-2-(2-{[6-(3-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-5-fluoropyrimidin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,    (F128)    (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-(2-{[({(1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)ethanamide,    (F129)    (2E)-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methyl-2-{2-[(E)-({1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethoxy}imino)methyl]phenyl}ethanamide    (158169-73-4), (F130)    (2E)-2-{2-[({[(1E)-1-(3-{[(E)-1-fluoro-2-phenylethenyl]oxy}phenyl)ethylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide    (326896-28-0), (F131)    (2E)-2-{2-[({[(2E,3E)-4-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)but-3-en-2-ylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)-N-methylethanamide,    (F132)    2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide    (119899-14-8), (F133)    5-methoxy-2-methyl-4-(2-{[({((1E)-1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylidene}amino)oxy]methyl}phenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one,    (F134) methyl    (2E)-2-{2-[({cyclopropyl[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}sulfanyl)methyl]phenyl}-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate    (149601-03-6), (F135)    N-(3-ethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-(formylamino)-2-hydroxybenzamide    (226551-21-9), (F136)    2-{-[4(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide    (173662-97-0), (F137)    (2R)-2-{2-[(2,5-dimethylphenoxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-methoxy-N-methylacetamide    (394657-24-0);-   (4) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example (F138)    benomyl (17804-35-2), (F139) carbendazim (10605-21-7), (F140)    chlorfenazole (3574-96-7), (F141) diethofencarb (87130-20-9), (F142)    ethaboxam (162650-77-3), (F143) fluopicolide (239110-15-7), (F144)    fuberidazole (3878-19-1), (F145) pencycuron (66063-05-6), (F146)    thiabendazole (148-79-8), (F147) thiophanate-methyl (23564-05-8),    (F148) thiophanate (23564-06-9), (F149) zoxamide (156052-68-5),    (F150)    5-chloro-7-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine    (214706-53-3), (F151)    3-chloro-5-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)pyridazine    (1002756-87-7);-   (5) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for example    (F152) bordeaux mixture (8011-63-0), (F153) captafol (2425-06-1),    (F154) captan (133-06-2), (F155) chlorothalonil (1897-45-6), (F156)    copper hydroxide (20427-59-2), (F157) copper naphthenate    (1338-02-9), (F158) copper oxide (1317-39-1), (F159) copper    oxychloride (1332-40-7), (F160) copper(2+) sulfate (7758-98-7),    (F161) dichlofluanid (1085-98-9), (F162) dithianon (3347-22-6),    (F163) dodine (2439-10-3), (F164) dodine free base, (F165) ferbam    (14484-64-1), (F166) fluorofolpet (719-96-0), (F167) folpet    (133-07-3), (F168) guazatine (108173-90-6), (F169) guazatine    acetate, (F170) iminoctadine (13516-27-3), (F171) iminoctadine    albesilate (169202-06-6), (F172) iminoctadine triacetate    (57520-17-9), (F173) mancopper (53988-93-5), (F174) mancozeb    (8018-01-7), (F175) maneb (12427-38-2), (F176) metiram (9006-42-2),    (F177) metiram zinc (9006-42-2), (F178) oxine-copper (10380-28-6),    (F179) propamidine (104-32-5), (F180) propineb (12071-83-9), (F181)    sulphur and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide    (7704-34-9), (F182) thiram (137-26-8), (F183) tolylfluanid    (731-27-1), (F184) zineb (12122-67-7), (F185) ziram (137-30-4);-   (6) Compounds capable to induce a host defense, like for example    (F186) acibenzolar-S-methyl (135158-54-2), (F187) isotianil    (224049-04-1), (F188) probenazole (27605-76-1), (F189) tiadinil    (223580-51-6);-   (7) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, for    example (F190) andoprim (23951-85-1), (F191) blasticidin-S    (2079-00-7), (F192) cyprodinil (121552-61-2), (F193) kasugamycin    (6980-18-3), (F194) kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate (19408-46-9),    (F195) mepanipyrim (110235-47-7), (F196) pyrimethanil (53112-28-0),    (F197)    3-(5-fluoro-3,3,4,4-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline    (861647-32-7);-   (8) Inhibitors of the ATP production, for example (F198) fentin    acetate (900-95-8), (F199) fentin chloride (639-58-7), (F200) fentin    hydroxide (76-87-9), (F201) silthiofam (175217-20-6);-   (9) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example (F202)    benthiavalicarb (177406-68-7), (F203) dimethomorph (110488-70-5),    (F204) flumorph (211867-47-9), (F205) iprovalicarb (140923-17-7),    (F206) mandipropamid (374726-62-2), (F207) polyoxins (11113-80-7),    (F208) polyoxorim (22976-86-9), (F209) validamycin A (37248-47-8),    (F210) valifenalate (283159-94-4; 283159-90-0);-   (10) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for example    (F211) biphenyl (92-52-4), (F212) chloroneb (2675-77-6), (F213)    dicloran (99-30-9), (F214) edifenphos (17109-49-8), (F215)    etridiazole (2593-15-9), (F216) iodocarb (55406-53-6), (F217)    iprobenfos (26087-47-8), (F218) isoprothiolane (50512-35-1), (F219)    propamocarb (25606-41-1), (F220) propamocarb hydrochloride    (25606-41-1), (F221) prothiocarb (19622-08-3), (F222) pyrazophos    (13457-18-6), (F223) quintozene (82-68-8), (F224) tecnazene    (117-18-0), (F225) tolclofos-methyl (57018-04-9);-   (11) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example (F226)    carpropamid (104030-54-8), (F227) diclocymet (139920-32-4), (F228)    fenoxanil (115852-48-7), (F229) phthalide (27355-22-2), (F230)    pyroquilon (57369-32-1), (F231) tricyclazole (41814-78-2), (F232)    2,2,2-trifluoroethyl    {3-methyl-1-[(4-methylbenzoyl)amino]butan-2-yl}carbamate    (851524-22-6);-   (12) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example (F233)    benalaxyl (71626-11-4), (F234) benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl) (98243-83-5),    (F235) bupirimate (41483-43-6), (F236) clozylacon (67932-85-8),    (F237) dimethirimol (5221-53-4), (F238) ethirimol (23947-60-6),    (F239) furalaxyl (57646-30-7), (F240) hymexazol (10004-44-1), (F241)    metalaxyl (57837-19-1), (F242) metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam) (70630-17-0),    (F243) ofurace (58810-48-3), (F244) oxadixyl (77732-09-3), (F245)    oxolinic acid (14698-29-4);-   (13) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for example (F246)    chlozolinate (84332-86-5), (F247) fenpiclonil (74738-17-3), (F248)    fludioxonil (131341-86-1), (F249) iprodione (36734-19-7), (F250)    procymidone (32809-16-8), (F251) quinoxyfen (124495-18-7), (F252)    vinclozolin (50471-44-8);-   (14) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like for example    (F253) binapacryl (485-31-4), (F254) dinocap (131-72-6), (F255)    ferimzone (89269-64-7), (F256) fluazinam (79622-59-6), (F257)    meptyldinocap (131-72-6);-   (15) Further compounds, like for example (F258) benthiazole    (21564-17-0), (F259) bethoxazin (163269-30-5), (F260) capsimycin    (70694-08-5), (F261) carvone (99-49-0), (F262) chinomethionat    (2439-01-2), (F263) pyriofenone (chlazafenone) (688046-61-9), (F264)    cufraneb (11096-18-7), (F265) cyflufenamid (180409-60-3), (F266)    cymoxanil (57966-95-7), (F267) cyprosulfamide (221667-31-8), (F268)    dazomet (533-74-4), (F269) debacarb (62732-91-6), (F270)    dichlorophen (97-23-4), (F271) diclomezine (62865-36-5), (F272)    difenzoquat (49866-87-7), (F273) difenzoquat methylsulphate    (43222-48-6), (F724) diphenylamine (122-39-4), (F275) ecomate,    (F276) fenpyrazamine (473798-59-3), (F277) flumetover (154025-04-4),    (F278) fluoroimide (41205-21-4), (F279) flusulfamide (106917-52-6),    (F280) flutianil (304900-25-2), (F281) fosetyl-aluminium    (39148-24-8), (F282) fosetyl-calcium, (F283) fosetyl-sodium    (39148-16-8), (F284) hexachlorobenzene (118-74-1), (F285) irumamycin    (81604-73-1), (F286) methasulfocarb (66952-49-6), (F287) methyl    isothiocyanate (556-61-6), (F288) metrafenone (220899-03-6), (F289)    mildiomycin (67527-71-3), (F290) natamycin (7681-93-8), (F291)    nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate (15521-65-0), (F292)    nitrothal-isopropyl (10552-74-6), (F293) octhilinone (26530-20-1),    (F294) oxamocarb (917242-12-7), (F295) oxyfenthiin (34407-87-9),    (F296) pentachlorophenol and salts (87-86-5), (F297) phenothrin,    (F298) phosphorous acid and its salts (13598-36-2), (F299)    propamocarb-fosetylate, (F300) propanosine-sodium (88498-02-6),    (F301) proquinazid (189278-12-4), (F302) pyrimorph (868390-90-3),    (F303)    (2E)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one    (1231776-28-5), (F304)    (2Z)-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(2-chloropyridin-4-yl)-1-(morpholin-4-yl)prop-2-en-1-one    (1231776-29-6), (F305) pyrrolnitrine (1018-71-9), (F306) tebufloquin    (376645-78-2), (F307) tecloftalam (76280-91-6), (F308) tolnifanide    (304911-98-6), (F309) triazoxide (72459-58-6), (F310) trichlamide    (70193-21-4), (F311) zarilamid (84527-51-5), (F312)    (3S,6S,7R,8R)-8-benzyl-3-[({3-[(isobutyryloxy)methoxy]-4-methoxypyridin-2-yl}carbonyl)amino]-6-methyl-4,9-dioxo-1,5-dioxonan-7-yl    2-methylpropanoate (517875-34-2), (F313)    1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone    (1003319-79-6), (F314)    1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone    (1003319-80-9), (F315)    1-(4-{4-[5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone    (1003318-67-9), (F316) 1-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-yl    1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate (111227-17-9), (F317)    2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine (13108-52-6), (F318)    2,3-dibutyl-6-chlorothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one (221451-58-7),    (F319)    2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone,    (F320) 2-[    5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5R)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone    (1003316-53-7), (F321)    2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-(4-{4-[(5S)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl}piperidin-1-yl)ethanone    (1003316-54-8), (F322)    2-[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1-{4-[4-(5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethanone    (1003316-51-5), (F323) 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propyl-4H-chromen-4-one,    (F324)    2-chloro-5-[2-chloro-1-(2,6-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl]pyridine,    (F325) 2-phenylphenol and salts (90-43-7), (F326)    3-(4,4,5-trifluoro-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1-yl)quinoline    (861647-85-0), (F327) 3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-dicarbonitrile    (17824-85-0), (F328)    3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,2-oxazolidin-3-yl]pyridine,    (F329)    3-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-6-methylpyridazine,    (F330)    4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-3,6-dimethylpyridazine,    (F331) 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol, (F332)    5-chloro-N′-phenyl-N′-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)thiophene-2-sulfonohydrazide    (134-31-6), (F333) 5-fluoro-2-[(4-fluorobenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine    (1174376-11-4), (F334)    5-fluoro-2-[(4-methylbenzyl)oxy]pyrimidin-4-amine (1174376-25-0),    (F335) 5-methyl-6-octyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine,    (F336) ethyl (2Z)-3-amino-2-cyano-3-phenylprop-2-enoate, (F337)    N′-(4-{[3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl]oxy}-2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,    (F338)    N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,    (F339)    N-[(4-chlorophenyl)(cyano)methyl]-3-[3-methoxy-4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl]propanamide,    (F340)    N-[(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F341)    N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2,4-dichloropyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F342)    N-[1-(5-bromo-3-chloropyridin-2-yl)ethyl]-2-fluoro-4-iodopyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F343)    N-{(E)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide    (221201-92-9), (F344)    N-{(Z)-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)imino][6-(difluoromethoxy)-2,3-difluorophenyl]methyl}-2-phenylacetamide    (221201-92-9), (F345)    N′-{4-[(3-tert-butyl-4-cyano-1,2-thiazol-5-yl)oxy]-2-chloro-5-methylphenyl}-N-ethyl-N-methylimidoformamide,    (F346)    N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide    (922514-49-6), (F347)    N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide    (922514-07-6), (F348)    N-methyl-2-(1-{[5-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetyl}piperidin-4-yl)-N-[(1S)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxamide    (922514-48-5), (F349) pentyl    {6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylidene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,    (F350) phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, (F351) quinolin-8-ol (134-31-6),    (F352) quinolin-8-ol sulfate (2:1) (134-31-6), (F353) tert-butyl    {6-[({[(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate;-   (16) Further compounds, like for example (F354)    1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[2′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F355)    N-(4′-chlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F356)    N-(2′,4′-dichlorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F357)    3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F358)    N-(2′,5′-difluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F359)    3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F360)    5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F361)    2-chloro-N-[4′-(prop-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F362)    3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F363)    N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F364)    3-(difluoromethyl)-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F365)    N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)-5-fluoro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F366) 2-chloro-N-(4′-ethynylbiphenyl-2-yl)pyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F367)    2-chloro-N-[4′-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F368)    4-(difluoromethyl)-2-methyl-N-[4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-thiazole-5-carboxamide,    (F369)    5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F370)    2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F371)    3-(difluoromethyl)-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F372)    5-fluoro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide,    (F373)    2-chloro-N-[4′-(3-methoxy-3-methylbut-1-yn-1-yl)biphenyl-2-yl]pyridine-3-carboxamide,    (F374)    (5-bromo-2-methoxy-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)(2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-methylphenyl)methanone,    (F375)    N-[2-(4-{[3-(4-chlorophenyl)prop-2-yn-1-yl]oxy}-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-N2-(methylsulfonyl)valinamide    (220706-93-4), (F376) 4-oxo-4-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]butanoic acid,    (F377) but-3-yn-1-yl    {6-[{[(Z)-(1-methyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)(phenyl)methylene]amino}oxy)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}carbamate,    (F378) 4-Amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2-ol (mesomere Form:    6-Amino-5-fluoropyrimidin-2(1H)-on), (F379) propyl    3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate and (F380) Oryzastrobin.

All named fungicides of the classes (1) to (16) (i.e., F1 to F380) can,if their functional groups enable this, optionally form salts withsuitable bases or acids.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the at leastfungicide is a synthetic fungicide.

In one embodiment of the present invention the composition comprises twoor more fungicides. In a preferred embodiment the composition comprisestwo or more of the above-mentioned preferred fungicides.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention thefungicide is selected from the group consisting of (1) Inhibitors of theergosterol biosynthesis, for example (F3) bitertanol, (F4) bromuconazole(116255-48-2), (F5) cyproconazole (113096-99-4), (F7) difenoconazole(119446-68-3), (F12) epoxiconazole (106325-08-0), (F16) fenhexamid(126833-17-8), (F17) fenpropidin (67306-00-7), (F18) fenpropimorph(67306-03-0), (F19) fluquinconazole (136426-54-5), (F22) flutriafol,(F26) imazalil, (F29) ipconazole (125225-28-7), (F30) metconazole(125116-23-6), (F31) myclobutanil (88671-89-0), (F37) penconazole(66246-88-6), (F39) prochloraz (67747-09-5), (F40) propiconazole(60207-90-1), (F41) prothioconazole (178928-70-6), (F44) quinconazole(103970-75-8), (F46) spiroxamine (118134-30-8), (F47) tebuconazole(107534-96-3), (F51) triadimenol (89482-17-7), (F55) triticonazole(131983-72-7);

-   (2) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex I or II, for    example (F65) bixafen (581809-46-3), (F66) boscalid (188425-85-6),    (F67) carboxin (5234-68-4), (F70) fluopyram (658066-35-4), (F71)    flutolanil (66332-96-5), (F72) fluxapyroxad (907204-31-3), (F73)    furametpyr (123572-88-3), (F75) isopyrazam (mixture of syn-epimeric    racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS and anti-epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9SR)    (881685-58-1), (F76) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric racemate    1RS,4SR,9SR), (F77) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9S),    (F78) isopyrazam (anti-epimeric enantiomer 1S,4R,9R), (F79)    isopyrazam (syn epimeric racemate 1RS,4SR,9RS), (F80) isopyrazam    (syn-epimeric enantiomer 1R,4S,9R), (F81) isopyrazam (syn-epimeric    enantiomer 1S,4R,9S), (F84) penflufen (494793-67-8), (F85)    penthiopyrad (183675-82-3), (F86) sedaxane (874967-67-6), (F87)    thifluzamide (130000-40-7), (F91)    N-[1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methoxypropan-2-yl]-3-(difluoromethyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide    (1092400-95-7), (F98)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-(1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F99)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1S)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F100)    1-Methyl-3-(trifluormethyl)-N-[(1R)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F101)    3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3S)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid,    (F102)    3-(Difluormethyl)-1-methyl-N-[(3R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl]-1H-pyrazol-4-carboxamid;-   (3) inhibitors of the respiratory chain at complex III, for example    (F105) ametoctradin (865318-97-4), (F106) amisulbrom (348635-87-0),    (F107) azoxystrobin (131860-33-8), (F108) cyazofamid (120116-88-3),    (F111) dimoxystrobin (141600-52-4), (F112) enestroburin    (238410-11-2), (F113) famoxadone (131807-57-3), (F114) fenamidone    (161326-34-7), (F116) fluoxastrobin (361377-29-9), (F117)    kresoxim-methyl (143390-89-0), (F118) metominostrobin (133408-50-1),    (F119) orysastrobin (189892-69-1), (F120) picoxystrobin    (117428-22-5), (F121) pyraclostrobin (175013-18-0), (F124)    pyribencarb (799247-52-2), (F126) trifloxystrobin (141517-21-7);-   (4) Inhibitors of the mitosis and cell division, for example (F139)    carbendazim (10605-21-7), (F140) chlorfenazole (3574-96-7), (F141)    diethofencarb (87130-20-9), (F142) ethaboxam (162650-77-3), (F143)    fluopicolide, (F144) fuberidazole (3878-19-1), (F145) pencycuron    (66063-05-6), (F147) thiophanate-methyl (23564-05-8), (F149)    zoxamide (156052-68-5);-   (5) Compounds capable to have a multisite action, like for example    (F154) captan (133-06-2), (F155) chlorothalonil (1897-45-6), (F156)    copper hydroxide (20427-59-2), (F159) copper oxychloride    (1332-40-7), (F162) dithianon (3347-22-6), (F163) dodine    (2439-10-3), (F167) folpet (133-07-3), (F168) guazatine    (108173-90-6), (F172) iminoctadine triacetate (57520-17-9), (F174)    mancozeb (8018-01-7), (F180) propineb (12071-83-9), (F181) sulphur    and sulphur preparations including calcium polysulphide (7704-34-9),    (F182) thiram (137-26-8);-   (6) Compounds capable to induce a host defense, like for example    (F186) acibenzolar-S-methyl (135158-54-2), (F187) isotianil    (224049-04-1), (F189) tiadinil (223580-51-6);-   (7) Inhibitors of the amino acid and/or protein biosynthesis, for    example (F192) cyprodinil (121552-61-2), (F196) pyrimethanil    (53112-28-0);-   (8) Inhibitors of the cell wall synthesis, for example (F202)    benthiavalicarb (177406-68-7), (F203) dimethomorph (110488-70-5),    (F205) iprovalicarb (140923-17-7), (F206) mandipropamid    (374726-62-2), (F210) valifenalate (283159-94-4; 283159-90-0);-   (9) Inhibitors of the lipid and membrane synthesis, for example    (F216) iodocarb (55406-53-6), (F217) iprobenfos (26087-47-8), (F220)    propamocarb hydrochloride (25606-41-1), (F225) tolclofos-methyl;-   (10) Inhibitors of the melanine biosynthesis, for example (F226)    carpropamid-   (11) Inhibitors of the nucleic acid synthesis, for example (F233)    benalaxyl (71626-11-4), (F234) benalaxyl-M (kiralaxyl) (98243-83-5),    (F239) furalaxyl (57646-30-7), (F240) hymexazol (10004-44-1), (F241)    metalaxyl (57837-19-1), (F242) metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam) (70630-17-0),    (F244) oxadixyl (77732-09-3);-   (12) Inhibitors of the signal transduction, for example (F247)    fenpiclonil (74738-17-3), (F248) fludioxonil (131341-86-1), (F249)    iprodione (36734-19-7), (F251) quinoxyfen (124495-18-7), (F252)    vinclozolin (50471-44-8);-   (13) Compounds capable to act as an uncoupler, like for example    (F256) fluazinam (79622-59-6);-   (14) Further compounds, like for example (F266) cymoxanil    (57966-95-7), (F280) flutianil (304900-25-2), (F281)    fosetyl-aluminium (39148-24-8), (F286) methasulfocarb (66952-49-6),    (F287) methyl isothiocyanate (556-61-6), (F288) metrafenone    (220899-03-6), (F298) phosphorous acid and its salts (13598-36-2),    (F301) proquinazid (I89278-12-4), (F309) triazoxide (72459-58-6) and    (F319)    2,6-dimethyl-1H,5H-[1,4]dithiino[2,3-c:5,6-c′]dipyrrole-1,3,5,7(2H,6H)-tetrone.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fungizide, e.g., thefungizide for use in seed treatment is selected from the groupconsisting of Carbendazim (F139), Carboxin (F67), Difenoconazole (F7),Fludioxonil (F248), Fluquinconazole (F19), Fluxapyroxad (F72),Ipconazole (F29), Isotianil (F187), Mefenoxam (F242), Metalaxyl (F241),Pencycuron (F145), Penflufen (F84), Prothioconazole (F41), Prochloraz(F39), Pyraclostrobin (F121), Sedaxane (F86), Silthiofam (F201),Tebuconazole (F47), Thiram (F182), Trifloxystrobin (F126), andTriticonazole (F55).

Further Additives

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a composition asdescribed above additionally comprising at least one auxiliary selectedfrom the group consisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters,carriers, emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners andadjuvants. Those compositions are referred to as formulations.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention such formulations,and application forms prepared from them, are provided as cropprotection agents and/or pesticidal agents, such as drench, drip andspray liquors, comprising the composition of the invention. Theapplication forms may comprise further crop protection agents and/orpesticidal agents, and/or activity-enhancing adjuvants such aspenetrants, examples being vegetable oils such as, for example, rapeseedoil, sunflower oil, mineral oils such as, for example, liquid paraffins,alkyl esters of vegetable fatty acids, such as rapeseed oil or soybeanoil methyl esters, or alkanol alkoxylates, and/or spreaders such as, forexample, alkylsiloxanes and/or salts, examples being organic orinorganic ammonium or phosphonium salts, examples being ammoniumsulphate or diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and/or retention promoterssuch as dioctyl sulphosuccinate or hydroxypropylguar polymers and/orhumectants such as glycerol and/or fertilizers such as ammonium,potassium or phosphorous fertilizers, for example.

Examples of typical formulations include water-soluble liquids (SL),emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions in water (EW), suspensionconcentrates (SC, SE, FS, OD), water-dispersible granules (WG), granules(GR) and capsule concentrates (CS); these and other possible types offormulation are described, for example, by Crop Life International andin Pesticide Specifications, Manual on Development and Use of FAO andWHO specifications for pesticides, FAO Plant Production and ProtectionPapers—173, prepared by the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on PesticideSpecifications, 2004, ISBN: 9251048576. The formulations may compriseactive agrochemical compounds other than one or more active compounds ofthe invention.

The formulations or application forms in question preferably compriseauxiliaries, such as extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters,carriers, emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, biocides,thickeners and/or other auxiliaries, such as adjuvants, for example. Anadjuvant in this context is a component which enhances the biologicaleffect of the formulation, without the component itself having abiological effect. Examples of adjuvants are agents which promote theretention, spreading, attachment to the leaf surface, or penetration.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixingthe active compounds with auxiliaries such as, for example, extenders,solvents and/or solid carriers and/or further auxiliaries, such as, forexample, surfactants. The formulations are prepared either in suitableplants or else before or during the application.

Suitable for use as auxiliaries are substances which are suitable forimparting to the formulation of the active compound or the applicationforms prepared from these formulations (such as, e.g., usable cropprotection agents, such as spray liquors or seed dressings) particularproperties such as certain physical, technical and/or biologicalproperties.

Suitable extenders are, for example, water, polar and nonpolar organicchemical liquids, for example from the classes of the aromatic andnon-aromatic hydrocarbons (such as paraffins, alkylbenzenes,alkylnaphthalenes, chlorobenzenes), the alcohols and polyols (which, ifappropriate, may also be substituted, etherified and/or esterified), theketones (such as acetone, cyclohexanone), esters (including fats andoils) and (poly)ethers, the unsubstituted and substituted amines,amides, lactams (such as N-alkylpyrrolidones) and lactones, thesulphones and sulphoxides (such as dimethyl sulphoxide).

If the extender used is water, it is also possible to employ, forexample, organic solvents as auxiliary solvents. Essentially, suitableliquid solvents are: aromatics such as xylene, toluene oralkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatichydrocarbons such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylenechloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or paraffins, forexample petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols suchas butanol or glycol and also their ethers and esters, ketones such asacetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone,strongly polar solvents such as dimethylformamide and dimethylsulphoxide, and also water. Preferred auxiliary solvents are selectedfrom the group consisting of acetone and N,N′-dimethylformamide.

In principle it is possible to use all suitable solvents. Suitablesolvents are, for example, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as xylene,toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, for example, chlorinated aromatic oraliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzene, chloroethylene ormethylene chloride, for example, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such ascyclohexane, for example, paraffins, petroleum fractions, mineral andvegetable oils, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol,butanol or glycol, for example, and also their ethers and esters,ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone orcyclohexanone, for example, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylsulphoxide, and water.

All suitable carriers may in principle be used. Suitable carriers are inparticular: for example, ammonium salts and ground natural minerals suchas kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite ordiatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as finelydivided silica, alumina and natural or synthetic silicates, resins,waxes and/or solid fertilizers. Mixtures of such carriers may likewisebe used. Carriers suitable for granules include the following: forexample, crushed and fractionated natural minerals such as calcite,marble, pumice, sepiolite, dolomite, and also synthetic granules ofinorganic and organic meals, and also granules of organic material suchas sawdust, paper, coconut shells, maize cobs and tobacco stalks.

Liquefied gaseous extenders or solvents may also be used. Particularlysuitable are those extenders or carriers which at standard temperatureand under standard pressure are gaseous, examples being aerosolpropellants, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, and also butane, propane,nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Examples of emulsifiers and/or foam-formers, dispersants or wettingagents having ionic or nonionic properties, or mixtures of thesesurface-active substances, are salts of polyacrylic acid, salts oflignosulphonic acid, salts of phenolsulphonic acid ornaphthalenesulphonic acid, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fattyalcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, with substitutedphenols (preferably alkylphenols or arylphenols), salts ofsulphosuccinic esters, taurine derivatives (preferably alkyltaurates),phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated alcohols or phenols, fatty acidesters of polyols, and derivatives of the compounds containingsulphates, sulphonates and phosphates, examples being alkylarylpolyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates,protein hydrolysates, lignin-sulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.The presence of a surface-active substance is advantageous if one of theactive compounds and/or one of the inert carriers is not soluble inwater and if application takes place in water. Preferred emulsifiers arealkylaryl polyglycol ethers.

Further auxiliaries that may be present in the formulations and in theapplication forms derived from them include colorants such as inorganicpigments, examples being iron oxide, titanium oxide, Prussian Blue, andorganic dyes, such as alizarin dyes, azo dyes and metal phthalocyaninedyes, and nutrients and trace nutrients, such as salts of iron,manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

Stabilizers, such as low-temperature stabilizers, preservatives,antioxidants, light stabilizers or other agents which improve chemicaland/or physical stability may also be present. Additionally present maybe foam-formers or defoamers.

Furthermore, the formulations and application forms derived from themmay also comprise, as additional auxiliaries, stickers such ascarboxymethylcellulose, natural and synthetic polymers in powder,granule or latex form, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, and also natural phospholipids, such as cephalins andlecithins, and synthetic phospholipids. Further possible auxiliariesinclude mineral and vegetable oils.

There may possibly be further auxiliaries present in the formulationsand the application forms derived from them. Examples of such additivesinclude fragrances, protective colloids, binders, adhesives, thickeners,thixotropic substances, penetrants, retention promoters, stabilizers,sequestrants, complexing agents, humectants and spreaders. Generallyspeaking, the active compounds may be combined with any solid or liquidadditive commonly used for formulation purposes.

Suitable retention promoters include all those substances which reducethe dynamic surface tension, such as dioctyl sulphosuccinate, orincrease the viscoelasticity, such as hydroxypropylguar polymers, forexample.

Suitable penetrants in the present context include all those substanceswhich are typically used in order to enhance the penetration of activeagrochemical compounds into plants. Penetrants in this context aredefined in that, from the (generally aqueous) application liquor and/orfrom the spray coating, they are able to penetrate the cuticle of theplant and thereby increase the mobility of the active compounds in thecuticle. This property can be determined using the method described inthe literature (Baur et al., 1997, Pesticide Science 51, 131-152).Examples include alcohol alkoxylates such as coconut fatty ethoxylate(10) or isotridecyl ethoxylate (12), fatty acid esters such as rapeseedor soybean oil methyl esters, fatty amine alkoxylates such astallowamine ethoxylate (15), or ammonium and/or phosphonium salts suchas ammonium sulphate or diammonium hydrogen phosphate, for example.

The formulations preferably comprise between 0.00000001% and 98% byweight of active compound or, with particular preference, between 0.01%and 95% by weight of active compound, more preferably between 0.5% and90% by weight of active compound, based on the weight of theformulation. The content of the active compound is defined as the sum ofthe at least one specified biological control agent and the at least onespecified insecticide.

The active compound content of the application forms (crop protectionproducts) prepared from the formulations may vary within wide ranges.The active compound concentration of the application forms may besituated typically between 0.00000001% and 95% by weight of activecompound, preferably between 0.00001% and 1% by weight, based on theweight of the application form. Application takes place in a customarymanner adapted to the application forms.

Kit of Parts

Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention a kit of parts isprovided comprising at least one biological control agent selected fromthe group consisting of Bacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No.B-21618), Bacillus mycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664), Bacilluspumilus (NRRL Accession No. B-30087), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRLAccession No. B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608),Bacillus sp. AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609), Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCCAccession No. 53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL Accession No.B-21665), Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillussubtilis AQ153 (ATCC Accession No. 55614), Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32(NRRL Accession No. B-21530), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRLAccession No. B-21619), Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547),Muscodor roseus A3-5 (NRRL Accession No. 30548), Rhodococcus globerulusAQ719 (NRRL Accession No. B-21663), Streptomyces galbus (NRRL AccessionNo. 30232), Streptomyces sp. (NRRL Accession No. B-30145), Bacillusthuringiensis subspec. kurstaki BMP 123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRLAccession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-50455) and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifyingcharacteristics of the respective strain, and/or a metabolite producedby the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one insecticide selectedfrom the group consisting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)agonists and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allostericactivators, in a synergistically effective amount, in a spatiallyseparated arrangement.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the above-mentioned kitof parts further comprises at least one fungicide, with the proviso thatthe biological control agent and the fungicide are not identical. Thefungicide can be present either in the biological control agentcomponent of the kit of parts or in the insecticide component of the kitof parts being spatially separated or in both of these components.Preferably, the fungicide is present in the insecticide component.

Moreover, the kit of parts according to the present invention canadditionally comprise at least one auxiliary selected from the groupconsisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters, carriers,emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners and adjuvants asmentioned below. This at least one auxiliary can be present either inthe biological control agent component of the kit of parts or in theinsecticide component of the kit of parts being spatially separated orin both of these components.

Use of the Composition

In another aspect of the present invention the composition as describedabove is used for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts aswell as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects,nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention the compositionas described above increases the overall plant health.

The term “plant health” generally comprises various sorts ofimprovements of plants that are not connected to the control of pests.For example, advantageous properties that may be mentioned are improvedcrop characteristics including: emergence, crop yields, protein content,oil content, starch content, more developed root system, improved rootgrowth, improved root size maintenance, improved root effectiveness,improved stress tolerance (e.g., against drought, heat, salt, UV, water,cold), reduced ethylene (reduced production and/or inhibition ofreception), tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leafblade, less dead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf color,pigment content, photosynthetic activity, less input needed (such asfertilizers or water), less seeds needed, more productive tillers,earlier flowering, early grain maturity, less plant verse (lodging),increased shoot growth, enhanced plant vigor, increased plant stand andearly and better germination.

With regard to the use according to the present invention, improvedplant health preferably refers to improved plant characteristicsincluding: crop yield, more developed root system (improved rootgrowth), improved root size maintenance, improved root effectiveness,tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leaf blade, lessdead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf color, photosyntheticactivity, more productive tillers, enhanced plant vigor, and increasedplant stand.

With regard to the present invention, improved plant health preferablyespecially refers to improved plant properties selected from crop yield,more developed root system, improved root growth, improved root sizemaintenance, improved root effectiveness, tillering increase, andincrease in plant height.

The effect of a composition according to the present invention on planthealth as defined herein can be determined by comparing plants which aregrown under the same environmental conditions, whereby a part of saidplants is treated with a composition according to the present inventionand another part of said plants is not treated with a compositionaccording to the present invention. Instead, said other part is nottreated at all or treated with a placebo (i.e., an application without acomposition according to the invention such as an application withoutall active ingredients (i.e., without a biological control agent asdescribed herein and without an insecticide as described herein), or anapplication without a biological control agent as described herein, oran application without an insecticide as described herein.

The composition according to the present invention may be applied in anydesired manner, such as in the form of a seed coating, soil drench,and/or directly in-furrow and/or as a foliar spray and applied eitherpre-emergence, post-emergence or both. In other words, the compositioncan be applied to the seed, the plant or to harvested fruits andvegetables or to the soil wherein the plant is growing or wherein it isdesired to grow (plant's locus of growth).

Reducing the overall damage of plants and plant parts often results inhealthier plants and/or in an increase in plant vigor and yield.

Preferably, the composition according to the present invention is usedfor treating conventional or transgenic plants or seed thereof.

In another aspect of the present invention a method for reducing overalldamage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruitsor vegetables caused by insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens isprovided comprising the step of simultaneously or sequentially applyingat least one biological control agent selected from the group consistingof Bacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No. B-21618), Bacillusmycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664), Bacillus pumilus (NRRLAccession No. B-30087), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No.B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608), Bacillus sp.AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609), Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No.53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL Accession No. B-21665), Bacillussubtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ 153(ATCC Accession No. 55614), Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21530), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619),Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547), Muscodor roseus A3-5(NRRL Accession No. 30548), Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-21663), Streptomyces galbus (NRRL Accession No. 30232),Streptomyces sp. (NRRL Accession No. B-30145), Bacillus thuringiensissubspec. kurstaki BMP 123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No.B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455)and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifyingcharacteristics of the respective strain, and/or a metabolite producedby the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites,nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one insecticide selectedfrom the group consisting of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)agonists and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allostericactivators, and optionally at least one fungicide on the plant, plantparts, harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant's locus of growth in asynergistically effective amount, with the proviso that the biologicalcontrol agent and the fungicide are not identical.

In another preferred embodiment of the present method the at least onefungicide is a synthetic fungicide.

The method of the present invention includes the following applicationmethods, namely both of the at least one biological control agent andthe at least one insecticide mentioned before may beformu“solo-formulation”), or being combined before or at the time of use(so called “combined-formulations”).

If not mentioned otherwise, the expression “combination” stands for thevarious combinations of the at least one biological control agent andthe at least one insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide,in a solo-formulation, in a single “ready-mix” form, in a combined spraymixture composed from solo-formulations, such as a “tank-mix”, andespecially in a combined use of the single active ingredients whenapplied in a sequential manner, i.e., one after the other within areasonably short period, such as a few hours or days, e.g., 2 hours to 7days. The order of applying the composition according to the presentinvention is not essential for working the present invention.Accordingly, the term “combination” also encompasses the presence of theat least one biological control agent and the at least one insecticide,and optionally the at least one fungicide on or in a plant to be treatedor its surrounding, habitat or storage space, e.g., after simultaneouslyor consecutively applying the at least one biological control agent andthe at least one insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicideto a plant its surrounding, habitat or storage space.

If the at least one biological control agent and the at least oneinsecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide are employed orused in a sequential manner, it is preferred to treat the plants orplant parts (which includes seeds and plants emerging from the seed),harvested fruits and vegetables according to the following method:Firstly applying the at least one insecticide and optionally the atleast one fungicide on the plant or plant parts, and secondly applyingthe biological control agent to the same plant or plant parts. The timeperiods between the first and the second application within a (crop)growing cycle may vary and depend on the effect to be achieved. Forexample, the first application is done to prevent an infestation of theplant or plant parts with insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens (thisis particularly the case when treating seeds) or to combat theinfestation with insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens (this isparticularly the case when treating plants and plant parts) and thesecond application is done to prevent or control the infestation withinsects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens. Control in this context meansthat the biological control agent is not able to fully exterminate thepests or phytopathogenic fungi but is able to keep the infestation on anacceptable level.

By following the before mentioned steps, a very low level of residues ofthe at least one specified insecticide, and optionally at least onefungicide on the treated plant, plant parts, and the harvested fruitsand vegetables can be achieved.

If not mentioned otherwise the treatment of plants or plant parts (whichincludes seeds and plants emerging from the seed), harvested fruits andvegetables with the composition according to the invention is carriedout directly or by action on their surroundings, habitat or storagespace using customary treatment methods, for example dipping, spraying,atomizing, irrigating, evaporating, dusting, fogging, broadcasting,foaming, painting, spreading-on, watering (drenching), drip irrigating.It is furthermore possible to apply the at least one biological controlagent, the at least one insecticide, and optionally the at least onefungicide as solo-formulation or combined-formulations by the ultra-lowvolume method, or to inject the composition according to the presentinvention as a composition or as sole-formulations into the soil(in-furrow).

The term “plant to be treated” encompasses every part of a plantincluding its root system and the material—e.g., soil or nutritionmedium—which is in a radius of at least 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm around thecaulis or bole of a plant to be treated or which is at least 10 cm, 20cm, 30 cm around the root system of said plant to be treated,respectively.

The amount of the biological control agent which is used or employed incombination with the specified insecticide, optionally in the presenceof a fungicide, depends on the final formulation as well as size or typeof the plant, plant parts, seeds, harvested fruits and vegetables to betreated. Usually, the biological control agent to be employed or usedaccording to the invention is present in about 2% to about 80% (w/w),preferably in about 5% to about 75% (w/w), more preferably about 10% toabout 70% (w/w) of its solo-formulation or combined-formulation with theat least one insecticide, and optionally the fungicide.

In a preferred embodiment the biological control agent or e.g., theirspores are present in a solo-formulation or the combined-formulation ina concentration of at least 10⁵ colony forming units per grampreparation (e.g., cells/g preparation, spores/g preparation), such as10⁵-10¹² cfu/g, preferably 10⁶-10¹¹ cfu/g, more preferably 10⁷-10¹⁰cfu/g and most preferably 10⁹-10¹⁰ cfu/g at the time point of applyingbiological control agents on a plant or plant parts such as seeds,fruits or vegetables. Also references to the concentration of biologicalcontrol agents in form of, e.g., spores or cells—when discussing ratiosbetween the amount of a preparation of at least one biological controlagent and the amount of the specified insecticide—are made in view ofthe time point when the biological control agent is applied on a plantor plant parts such as seeds, fruits or vegetables.

Also the amount of the at least one insecticide which is used oremployed in combination with the specified biological control agent,optionally in the presence of a fungicide, depends on the finalformulation as well as size or type of the plant, plant parts, seeds,harvested fruit or vegetable to be treated. Usually, the insecticide tobe employed or used according to the invention is present in about 0.1%to about 80% (w/w), preferably 1% to about 60% (w/w), more preferablyabout 10% to about 50% (w/w) of its solo-formulation orcombined-formulation with the biological control agent, and optionallythe fungicide.

The at least one biological control agent and at least one insecticide,and if present also the fungicide are used or employed in a synergisticweight ratio. The skilled person is able to find out the synergisticweight ratios for the present invention by routine methods. The skilledperson understands that these ratios refer to the ratio within acombined-formulation as well as to the calculative ratio of the at leastone biological control agent described herein and the specifiedinsecticide when both components are applied as mono-formulations to aplant to be treated. The skilled person can calculate this ratio bysimple mathematics since the volume and the amount of the biologicalcontrol agent and insecticide, respectively, in a mono-formulation isknown to the skilled person.

The ratio can be calculated based on the amount of the at least oneinsecticide, at the time point of applying said component of acombination according to the invention to a plant or plant part and theamount of a biological control agent shortly prior (e.g., 48 h, 24 h, 12h, 6 h, 2 h, 1 h) or at the time point of applying said component of acombination according to the invention to a plant or plant part.

The application of the at least one biological control agent and the atleast one insecticide according to the present invention to a plant or aplant part can take place simultaneously or at different times as longas both components are present on or in the plant after theapplication(s). In cases where the biological control agent and theinsecticide are applied at different times and the insecticide isapplied noticeable prior to the biological control agent, the skilledperson can determine the concentration of the specified insecticideon/in a plant by chemical analysis known in the art, at the time pointor shortly before the time point of applying the biological controlagent. Vice versa, when the biological control agent is applied to aplant first, the concentration of a biological control agent can bedetermined using test which are also known in the art, at the time pointor shortly before the time point of applying the insecticide.

In particular, in one embodiment the synergistic weight ratio of the atleast one biological control agent/spore preparation and the at leastone insecticide lies in the range of 1:500 to 1000:1, preferably in therange of 1:500 to 500:1, more preferably in the range of 1:500 to 300:1.It has to be noted that these ratio ranges refer to the biologicalcontrol agent/spores preparation (to be combined with at least oneinsecticide or a preparation of at least one insecticide) of around 10¹⁰cells/spores per gram preparation of said cells/spores. For example, aratio of 100:1 means 100 weight parts of a biological controlagent/spore preparation having a cell/spore concentration of 10¹⁰cells/spores per gram preparation and 1 weight part of the insecticideare combined (either as a solo formulation, a combined formulation or byseparate applications to plants so that the combination is formed on theplant).

In another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the at least onebiological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticide is in therange of 1:100 to 20000:1, preferably in the range of 1:50 to 10000:1 oreven in the range of 1:50 to 1000:1. Once again the mentioned ratiosranges refer to biological control agent/spore preparations ofbiological control agents of around 10¹⁰ cells or spores per grampreparation of said biological control agent. In particular, in thisembodiment the biological control agent preferably is selected from thegroup consisting of Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547) andMuscodor roseus A3-5 (NRRL Accession No. 30548).

Still in another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the atleast one biological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticideis in the range of 1:10 to 10000:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to5000:1 or even in the range of 100:1 to 3000:1. Once again the mentionedratios ranges refer to biological control agent/spore preparations ofbiological control agents of around 10¹⁰ cells or spores per grampreparation of said biological control agent. In particular, in thisembodiment the biological control agent preferably is Bacillus subtilisQST 713 (also referred to as B9). Most preferably, when B9 is used as aBCA, the synergistic weight ratio of at least B9 to the insecticide isselected from 200:1, 250:1, 500:1, 1250:1, and 2500:1.

Still in another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the atleast one biological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticideis in the range of 1:10 to 5000:1, preferably in the range of 1:5 to2500:1 or even in the range of 1:1 to 2000:1. Once again the mentionedratios ranges refer to biological control agent/spore preparations ofbiological control agents of around 10¹⁰ cells or spores per grampreparation of said biological control agent. In particular, in thisembodiment the biological control agent preferably is Bacillus pumilusQST 2808 (also referred to as B3). Most preferably, when B3 is used as aBCA, the synergistic weight ratio of at least B3 to the insecticide isselected from 5:1, 25:1, 125:1, 62.5:1, 625:1, and 1250:1.

Still in another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the atleast one biological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticideis in the range of 1:10 to 200000:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to150000:1 or even in the range of 400:1 to 100000:1. Once again thementioned ratios ranges refer to biological control agent/sporepreparations of biological control agents of around 10¹⁰ cells or sporesper gram preparation of said biological control agent. In particular, inthis embodiment the biological control agent preferably is Streptomycesgalbus which is mentioned above as B16. Most preferably, when B16 isused as a BCA, the synergistic weight ratio of at least B16 to theinsecticide is selected from 500:1, 625:1, 12500:1, 18750:1, and93750:1.

Still in another embodiment, the synergistic weight ratio of the atleast one biological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticideis in the range of 1:10 to 1000:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to800:1 or even in the range of 3:1 to 700:1. Once again the mentionedratios ranges refer to biological control agent/spore preparations ofbiological control agents of around 10¹⁰ cells or spores per grampreparation of said biological control agent. In particular, in thisembodiment the biological control agent preferably is Bacillus subtilisAQ30002 which is mentioned above as B19. Most preferably, when B19 isused as a BCA, the synergistic weight ratio of at least B19 to theinsecticide is selected from 5:1, 100:1, 125:1, 250:1, 500:1, and 625:1.

The cell/spore concentration of preparations can be determined byapplying methods known in the art. To compare weight ratios of thebiological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticide, theskilled person can easily determine the factor between a preparationhaving a biological control agent/spore concentration different from10¹⁰ cells/spores per gram cell/spore preparation and a preparationhaving a biological control agent/spore concentration of 10¹⁰cells/spores per gram preparation to calculate whether a ratio of abiological control agent/spore preparation to the insecticide is withinthe scope of the above listed ratio ranges.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the concentration of thebiological control agent after dispersal is at least 50 g/ha, such as50-7500 g/ha, 50-2500 g/ha, 50-1500 g/ha; at least 250 g/ha (hectare),at least 500 g/ha or at least 800 g/ha.

The application rate of composition to be employed or used according tothe present invention may vary. The skilled person is able to find theappropriate application rate by way of routine experiments.

Seed Treatment

In another aspect of the present invention a seed treated with thecomposition as described above is provided.

The control of insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens by treating theseed of plants has been known for a long time and is a subject ofcontinual improvements. Nevertheless, the treatment of seed entails aseries of problems which cannot always be solved in a satisfactorymanner. Thus, it is desirable to develop methods for protecting the seedand the germinating plant that remove the need for, or at leastsignificantly reduce, the additional delivery of crop protectioncompositions in the course of storage, after sowing or after theemergence of the plants. It is desirable, furthermore, to optimize theamount of active ingredient employed in such a way as to provide thebest-possible protection to the seed and the germinating plant fromattack by insects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens, but without causingdamage to the plant itself by the active ingredient employed. Inparticular, methods for treating seed ought also to take intoconsideration the intrinsic insecticidal and/or nematicidal propertiesof pest-resistant or pest-tolerant transgenic plants, in order toachieve optimum protection of the seed and of the germinating plant witha minimal use of crop protection compositions.

The present invention therefore also relates in particular to a methodfor protecting seed and germinating plants from attack by pests, bytreating the seed with at least one biological control agent as definedabove and/or a mutant of it having all identifying characteristics ofthe respective strain, and/or a metabolite produced by the respectivestrain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/orphytopathogens and at least one insecticide as defined above andoptionally at least one fungicide of the invention. The method of theinvention for protecting seed and germinating plants from attack bypests encompasses a method in which the seed is treated simultaneouslyin one operation with the at least one biological control agent and theat least one insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide. Italso encompasses a method in which the seed is treated at differenttimes with the at least one biological control agent and the at leastone insecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide.

The invention relates to the use of the composition of the invention fortreating seed for the purpose of protecting the seed and the resultantplant against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens.

The invention also relates to seed which at the same time has beentreated with at least one biological control agent and at least oneinsecticide according to the present invention, and optionally at leastone fungicide. The invention further relates to seed which has beentreated at different times with the at least one biological controlagent and the at least one insecticide, and optionally the at least onefungicide. In the case of seed which has been treated at different timeswith the at least one biological control agent and the at least oneinsecticide, and optionally the at least one fungicide, the individualactive ingredients in the composition of the invention may be present indifferent layers on the seed.

Furthermore, the invention relates to seed which, following treatmentwith the composition of the invention, is subjected to a film-coatingprocess in order to prevent dust abrasion of the seed.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that, owing to theparticular systemic properties of the compositions of the invention, thetreatment of the seed with these compositions provides protection frominsects, nematodes and/or phytopathogens not only to the seed itself butalso to the plants originating from the seed, after they have emerged.In this way, it may not be necessary to treat the crop directly at thetime of sowing or shortly thereafter.

A further advantage is to be seen in the fact that, through thetreatment of the seed with composition of the invention, germination andemergence of the treated seed may be promoted.

It is likewise considered to be advantageous composition of theinvention may also be used, in particular, on transgenic seed.

It is also stated that the composition of the invention may be used incombination with agents of the signalling technology, as a result ofwhich, for example, colonization with symbionts is improved, such asrhizobia, mycorrhiza and/or endophytic bacteria, for example, isenhanced, and/or nitrogen fixation is optimized.

The compositions of the invention are suitable for protecting seed ofany variety of plant which is used in agriculture, in greenhouses, inforestry or in horticulture. More particularly, the seed in question isthat of cereals (e.g., wheat, barley, rye, oats and millet), maize,cotton, soybeans, rice, potatoes, sunflower, coffee, tobacco, canola,oilseed rape, beets (e.g., sugar beet and fodder beet), peanuts,vegetables (e.g., tomato, cucumber, bean, brassicas, onions andlettuce), fruit plants, lawns and ornamentals. Particularly important isthe treatment of the seed of cereals (such as wheat, barley, rye andoats) maize, soybeans, cotton, canola, oilseed rape and rice.

As already mentioned above, the treatment of transgenic seed with thecomposition of the invention is particularly important. The seed inquestion here is that of plants which generally contain at least oneheterologous gene that controls the expression of a polypeptide having,in particular, insecticidal and/or nematicidal properties. Theseheterologous genes in transgenic seed may come from microorganisms suchas Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Trichoderma, Clavibacter,Glomus or Gliocladium. The present invention is particularly suitablefor the treatment of transgenic seed which contains at least oneheterologous gene from Bacillus sp. With particular preference, theheterologous gene in question comes from Bacillus thuringiensis.

For the purposes of the present invention, the composition of theinvention is applied alone or in a suitable formulation to the seed. Theseed is preferably treated in a condition in which its stability is suchthat no damage occurs in the course of the treatment. Generallyspeaking, the seed may be treated at any point in time betweenharvesting and sowing. Typically, seed is used which has been separatedfrom the plant and has had cobs, hulls, stems, husks, hair or pulpremoved. Thus, for example, seed may be used that has been harvested,cleaned and dried to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight.Alternatively, seed can also be used that after drying has been treatedwith water, for example, and then dried again.

When treating seed it is necessary, generally speaking, to ensure thatthe amount of the composition of the invention, and/or of otheradditives, that is applied to the seed is selected such that thegermination of the seed is not adversely affected, and/or that the plantwhich emerges from the seed is not damaged. This is the case inparticular with active ingredients which may exhibit phytotoxic effectsat certain application rates.

The compositions of the invention can be applied directly, in otherwords without comprising further components and without having beendiluted. As a general rule, it is preferable to apply the compositionsin the form of a suitable formulation to the seed. Suitable formulationsand methods for seed treatment are known to the skilled person and aredescribed in, for example, the following documents: U.S. Pat. Nos.4,272,417 A; 4,245,432 A; 4,808,430 A; 5,876,739 A; U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2003/0176428 A1; WO 2002/080675 A1, WO2002/028186 A2.

The combinations which can be used in accordance with the invention maybe converted into the customary seed-dressing formulations, such assolutions, emulsions, suspensions, powders, foams, slurries or othercoating compositions for seed, and also ULV formulations.

These formulations are prepared in a known manner, by mixing compositionwith customary adjuvants, such as, for example, customary extenders andalso solvents or diluents, colorants, wetters, dispersants, emulsifiers,antifoams, preservatives, secondary thickeners, stickers, gibberellins,and also water.

Colorants which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention include all colorants whichare customary for such purposes. In this context it is possible to usenot only pigments, which are of low solubility in water, but alsowater-soluble dyes. Examples include the colorants known under thedesignations Rhodamin B, C.I. Pigment Red 112 and C.I. Solvent Red 1.

Wetters which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations which canbe used in accordance with the invention include all of the substanceswhich promote wetting and which are customary in the formulation ofactive agrochemical ingredients. Use may be made preferably ofalkylnaphthalenesulphonates, such as diisopropyl- ordiisobutyl-naphthalenesulphonates.

Dispersants and/or emulsifiers which may be present in the seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention includeall of the nonionic, anionic and cationic dispersants that are customaryin the formulation of active agrochemical ingredients. Use may be madepreferably of nonionic or anionic dispersants or of mixtures of nonionicor anionic dispersants. Suitable nonionic dispersants are, inparticular, ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers, alkylphenolpolyglycol ethers and also tristryrylphenol polyglycol ethers, and thephosphated or sulphated derivatives of these. Suitable anionicdispersants are, in particular, lignosulphonates, salts of polyacrylicacid, and arylsulphonate-formaldehyde condensates. Antifoams which maybe present in the seed-dressing formulations which can be used inaccordance with the invention include all of the foam inhibitors thatare customary in the formulation of active agrochemical ingredients. Usemay be made preferably of silicone antifoams and magnesium stearate.

Preservatives which may be present in the seed-dressing formulationswhich can be used in accordance with the invention include all of thesubstances which can be employed for such purposes in agrochemicalcompositions. Examples include dichlorophen and benzyl alcoholhemiformal.

Secondary thickeners which may be present in the seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention includeall substances which can be used for such purposes in agrochemicalcompositions. Those contemplated with preference include cellulosederivatives, acrylic acid derivatives, xanthan, modified clays andhighly disperse silica.

Stickers which may be present in the seed-dressing formulations whichcan be used in accordance with the invention include all customarybinders which can be used in seed-dressing products. Preferred mentionmay be made of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylalcohol and tylose.

Gibberellins which may be present in the seed-dressing formulationswhich can be used in accordance with the invention include preferablythe gibberellins A1, A3 (=gibberellic acid), A4 and A7, with gibberellicacid being used with particular preference. The gibberellins are known(cf. R. Wegler, “Chemie der Pflanzenschutz-undSchädlingsbekämpfungsmittel”, Volume 2, Springer Verlag, 1970, pp.401-412).

The seed-dressing formulations which can be used in accordance with theinvention may be used, either directly or after prior dilution withwater, to treat seed of any of a wide variety of types. Accordingly, theconcentrates or the preparations obtainable from them by dilution withwater may be employed to dress the seed of cereals, such as wheat,barley, rye, oats and triticale, and also the seed of maize, rice,oilseed rape, peas, beans, cotton, sunflowers and beets, or else theseed of any of a very wide variety of vegetables. The seed-dressingformulations which can be used in accordance with the invention, ortheir diluted preparations, may also be used to dress seed of transgenicplants. In that case, additional synergistic effects may occur ininteraction with the substances formed through expression.

For the treatment of seed with the seed-dressing formulations which canbe used in accordance with the invention, or with the preparationsproduced from them by addition of water, suitable mixing equipmentincludes all such equipment which can typically be employed for seeddressing. More particularly, the procedure when carrying out seeddressing is to place the seed in a mixer, to add the particular desiredamount of seed-dressing formulations, either as such or followingdilution with water beforehand, and to carry out mixing until thedistribution of the formulation on the seed is uniform. This may befollowed by a drying operation.

The application rate of the seed-dressing formulations which can be usedin accordance with the invention may be varied within a relatively widerange. It is guided by the particular amount of the at least onebiological control agent and the at least one insecticide in theformulations, and by the seed. The g per kilogram of seed, preferablybetween 0.01 and 15 g per kilogram of seed.

The composition according to the invention, in combination with goodplant tolerance and favourable toxicity to warm-blooded animals andbeing tolerated well by the environment, are suitable for protectingplants and plant organs, for increasing harvest yields, for improvingthe quality of the harvested material and for controlling animal pests,in particular insects, arachnids, helminths, nematodes and molluscs,which are encountered in agriculture, in horticulture, in animalhusbandry, in forests, in gardens and leisure facilities, in protectionof stored products and of materials, and in the hygiene sector. They canbe preferably employed as plant protection agents. In particular, thepresent invention relates to the use of the composition according to theinvention as insecticide and/or fungicide.

The present composition preferably is active against normally sensitiveand resistant species and against all or some stages of development. Theabovementioned pests include: pests from the phylum Arthropoda,especially from the class Arachnida, for example, Acarus spp., Aceriasheldoni, Aculops spp., Aculus spp., Amblyomma spp., Amphitetranychusviennensis, Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., Bryobiagraminum, Bryobia praetiosa, Centruroides spp., Chorioptes spp.,Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoidesfarinae, Dermacentor spp., Eotetranychus spp., Epitrimerus pyri,Eutetranychus spp., Eriophyes spp., Glycyphagus domesticus, Halotydeusdestructor, Hemitarsonemus spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Latrodectusspp., Loxosceles spp., Metatetranychus spp., Neutrombicula autumnalis,Nuphersa spp., Oligonychus spp., Ornithodorus spp., Ornithonyssus spp.,Panonychus spp., Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus,Psoroptes spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp.,Scorpio maurus, Steneotarsonemus spp., Steneotarsonemus spinki,Tarsonemus spp., Tetranychus spp., Trombicula alfreddugesi, Vaejovisspp., Vasates lycopersici;

-   -   from the class Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Scutigera        spp.;    -   from the order or the class Collembola, for example, Onychiurus        armatus;    -   from the class Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus;    -   from the class Insecta, e.g., from the order Blattodea, for        example, Blattella asahinai, Blattella germanica, Blatta        orientalis, Leucophaea maderae, Panchlora spp., Parcoblatta        spp., Periplaneta spp., Supella longipalpa;    -   from the order Coleoptera, for example, Acalymma vittatum,        Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni,        Agriotes spp., Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallon solstitialis,        Anobium punctatum, Anoplophora spp., Anthonomus spp., Anthrenus        spp., Apion spp., Apogonia spp., Atomaria spp., Attagenus spp.,        Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp., Cassida spp., Cerotoma        trifurcata, Ceutorrhynchus spp., Chaetocnema spp., Cleonus        mendicus, Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Costelytra        zealandica, Ctenicera spp., Curculio spp., Cryptolestes        ferrugineus, Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Cylindrocopturus spp.,        Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Dichocrocis spp., Dicladispa        armigera, Diloboderus spp., Epilachna spp., Epitrix spp.,        Faustinus spp., Gibbium psylloides, Gnathocerus cornutus,        Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Heteronyx spp., Hylamorpha        elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypomeces        squamosus, Hypothenemus spp., Lachnosterna consanguinea,        Lasioderma serricorne, Latheticus oryzae, Lathridius spp., Lema        spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Leucoptera spp., Lissorhoptrus        oryzophilus, Lixus spp., Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp., Megascelis        spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha spp.,        Migdolus spp., Monochamus spp., Naupactus xanthographus,        Necrobia spp., Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros,        Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus        spp., Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga spp.,        Phyllophaga helleri, Phyllotreta spp., Popillia japonica,        Premnotrypes spp., Prostephanus truncatus, Psylliodes spp.,        Ptinus spp., Rhizobius ventralis, Rhizopertha dominica,        Sitophilus spp., Sitophilus oryzae, Sphenophorus spp., Stegobium        paniceum, Sternechus spp., Symphyletes spp., Tanymecus spp.,        Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrioides mauretanicus, Tribolium spp.,        Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp., Zabrus spp.;    -   from the order Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp.,        Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Asphondylia spp., Bactrocera        spp., Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Calliphora        vicina, Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus spp., Chrysomyia spp.,        Chrysops spp., Chrysozona pluvialis, Cochliomyia spp.,        Contarinia spp., Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cricotopus        sylvestris, Culex spp., Culicoides spp., Culiseta spp.,        Cuterebra spp., Dacus oleae, Dasyneura spp., Delia spp.,        Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp., Echinocnemus spp., Fannia        spp., Gasterophilus spp., Glossina spp., Haematopota spp.,        Hydrellia spp., Hydrellia griseola, Hylemya spp., Hippobosca        spp., Hypoderma spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Lutzomyia        spp., Mansonia spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Oscinella frit,        Paratanytarsus spp., Paralauterborniella subcincta, Pegomyia        spp., Phlebotomus spp., Phorbia spp., Phormia spp., Piophila        casei, Prodiplosis spp., Psila rosae, Rhagoletis spp.,        Sarcophaga spp., Simulium spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp.,        Tetanops spp., Tipula spp.;    -   from the order Heteroptera, for example, Anasa tristis,        Antestiopsis spp., Boisea spp., Blissus spp., Calocoris spp.,        Campylomma livida, Cavelerius spp., Cimex spp., Collaria spp.,        Creontiades dilutus, Dasynus piperis, Dichelops furcatus,        Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp., Euschistus spp., Eurygaster        spp., Heliopeltis spp., Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa spp.,        Leptocorisa varicornis, Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus spp.,        Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Monalonion atratum, Nezara spp.,        Oebalus spp., Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp.,        Psallus spp., Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella        singularis, Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophora spp., Stephanitis        nashi, Tibraca spp., Triatoma spp.;    -   from the order Homoptera, for example, Acizzia        acaciaebaileyanae, Acizzia dodonaeae, Acizzia uncatoides, Acrida        turrita, Acyrthosipon spp., Acrogonia spp., Aeneolamia spp.,        Agonoscena spp., Aleyrodes proletella, Aleurolobus barodensis,        Aleurothrixus floccosus, Allocaridara malayensis, Amrasca spp.,        Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella spp., Aphanostigma pini, Aphis        spp., Arboridia apicalis, Arytainilla spp., Aspidiella spp.,        Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulaconthum solani, Bemisia        tabaci, Blastopsylla occidentalis, Boneioglycaspis melaleucae,        Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycolus spp., Brevicoryne        brassicae, Cacopsylla spp., Calligypona manginata, Canneocephala        fulgida, Ceratovacuna lanigena, Cencopidae, Cenoplastes spp.,        Chaetosiphon fnagaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlonita        onukii, Chondracris rosea, Chromaphis juglandicola,        Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Coccomytilus halli,        Coccus spp., Cryptomyzus ribis, Cryptoneossa spp., Ctenarytaina        spp., Dalbulus spp., Dialeunodes citri, Diaphorina citri,        Diaspis spp., Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp., Dysmicoccus spp.,        Empoasca spp., Eniosoma spp., Erythroneura spp., Eucalyptolyma        spp., Euphylluna spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Ferrisia spp.,        Geococcus coffeae, Glycaspis spp., Hetenopsylla cubana,        Hetenopsylla spinulosa, Homalodisca coagulata, Hyaloptenus        arundinis, kerya spp., Idiocenus spp., Idioscopus spp.,        Laodelphax stniatellus, Lecanium spp., Lepidosaphes spp.,        Lipaphis erysimi, Macnosiphum spp., Macnosteles facifrons,        Mahanarva spp., Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella spp.,        Metopolophium dinhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis,        Myzus spp., Nasonovia ribisnigri, Nephotettix spp.,        Nettigoniclla spectra, Nilaparvata lugens, Oncometopia spp.,        Orthezia praelonga, Oxya chinensis, Pachypsylla spp.,        Parabemisia mynicae, Paratnioza spp., Parlatonia spp., Pemphigus        spp., Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus spp., Phloeomyzus        passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera spp., Pinnaspis        aspidistrae, Planococcus spp., Prosopidopsylla flava,        Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona,        Pseudococcus spp., Psyllopsis spp., Psylla spp., Pteromalus        spp., Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., Quesada gigas,        Rastrococcus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp.,        Scaphoideus titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus        articulatus, Sogata spp., Sogatella furcifera, Sogatodes spp.,        Stictocephala festina, Siphoninus phillyreae, Tenalaphara        malayensis, Tetragonocephela spp., Tinocallis caryaefoliae,        Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza        spp., Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp., Viteus vitifolii, Zygina        spp.;    -   from the order Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex spp.,        Athalia spp., Atta spp., Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius        spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Sirex spp., Solenopsis invicta,        Tapinoma spp., Urocerus spp., Vespa spp., Xeris spp.;    -   from the order Isopoda, for example, Armadillidium vulgare,        Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber;    -   from the order Isoptera, for example, Coptotermes spp.,        Cornitermes cumulans, Cryptotermes spp., Incisitermes spp.,        Microtermes obesi, Odontotermes spp., Reticulitermes spp.;    -   from the order Lepidoptera, for example, Achroia grisella,        Acronicta major, Adoxophyes spp., Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis        spp., Alabama spp., Amyelois transitella, Anarsia spp.,        Anticarsia spp., Argyroploce spp., Barathra brassicae, Borbo        cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Busseola        spp., Cacoecia spp., Caloptilia theivora, Capua reticulana,        Carpocapsa pomonella, Carposina niponensis, Cheimatobia brumata,        Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus        spp., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Cnephasia spp., Conopomorpha        spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Cydia spp., Dalaca        noctuides, Diaphania spp., Diatraea saccharalis, Earias spp.,        Ecdytolopha aurantium, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana        saccharina, Ephestia spp., Epinotia spp., Epiphyas postvittana,        Etiella spp., Eulia spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp.,        Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp.,        Grapholitha spp., Hedylepta spp., Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis        spp., Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homoeosoma spp., Homona        spp., Hyponomeuta padella, Kakivoria flavofasciata, Laphygma        spp., Laspeyresia molesta, Leucinodes orbonalis, Leucoptera        spp., Lithocolletis spp., Lithophane antennata, Lobesia spp.,        Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma        neustria, Maruca testulalis, Mamstra brassicae, Melanitis leda,        Mocis spp., Monopis obviella, Mythimna separata, Nemapogon        cloacellus, Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Oria spp., Orthaga        spp., Ostrinia spp., Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Parnara        spp., Pectinophora spp., Perileucoptera spp., Phthorimaea spp.,        Phyllocnistis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp., Pieris spp.,        Platynota stultana, Plodia interpunctella, Plusia spp., Plutella        xylostella, Prays spp., Prodenia spp., Protoparce spp.,        Pseudaletia spp., Pseudaletia unipuncta, Pseudoplusia includens,        Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Schoenobius spp.,        Scirpophaga spp., Scirpophaga innotata, Scotia segetum, Sesamia        spp., Sesamia inferens, Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp.,        Spodoptera praefica, Stathmopoda spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella,        Synanthedon spp., Tecia solanivora, Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea        cloacella, Tinea pellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix        spp., Trichophaga tapetzella, Trichoplusia spp., Tryporyza        incertulas, Tuta absoluta, Virachola spp.;    -   from the order Orthoptera or Saltatoria, for example, Acheta        domesticus, Dichroplus spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Hieroglyphus        spp., Locusta spp., Melanoplus spp., Schistocerca gregaria;    -   from the order Phthiraptera, for example, Damalinia spp.,        Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Ptirus        pubis, Trichodectes spp.;    -   from the order Psocoptera for example Lepinatus spp., Liposcelis        spp.;    -   from the order Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp.,        Ctenocephalides spp., Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans,        Xenopsylla cheopsis;    -   from the order Thysanoptera, for example, Anaphothrips obscurus,        Baliothrips biformis, Drepanothrips reuteri, Enneothrips        flavens, Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips        femoralis, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp.,        Taeniothrips cardamomi, Thrips spp.;    -   from the order Zygentoma (=Thysanura), for example, Ctenolepisma        spp., Lepisma saccharina, Lepismodes inquilinus, Thermobia        domestica;    -   from the class Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella spp.;    -   animal pests from the phylums Plathelminthes and Nematoda, for        example, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum,        Acylostoma braziliensis, Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris spp., Brugia        malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomum spp., Chabertia spp.,        Clonorchis spp., Cooperia spp., Dicrocoelium spp., Dictyocaulus        filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis,        Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobius        vermicularis, Faciola spp., Haemonchus spp., Heterakis spp.,        Hymenolepis nana, Hyostrongulus spp., Loa, Nematodirus spp.,        Oesophagostomum spp., Opisthorchis spp., Onchocerca volvulus,        Ostertagia spp., Paragonimus spp., spp., Strongyloides        fuelleborni, Strongyloides stercoralis, Stronyloides spp.,        Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Trichinella spiralis,        Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelsoni,        Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus spp., Trichuris        trichiura, Wuchereria bancrofti;    -   phytoparasitic pests from the phylum Nematoda, for example,        Aphelenchoides spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp.,        Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., Longidorus spp., Meloidogyne        spp., Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus spp., Trichodorus spp.,        Tylenchulus spp., Xiphinema spp., Helicotylenchus spp.,        Tylenchorhynchus spp., Scutellonema spp., Paratrichodorus spp.,        Meloinema spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Aglenchus spp.,        Belonolaimus spp., Nacobbus spp., Rotylenchulus spp.,        Rotylenchus spp., Neotylenchus spp., Paraphelenchus spp.,        Dolichodorus spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Punctodera spp.,        Criconemella spp., Quinisulcius spp., Hemicycliophora spp.,        Anguina spp., Subanguina spp., Hemicriconemoides spp.,        Psilenchus spp., Pseudohalenchus spp., Criconemoides spp.,        Cacopaurus spp., Hirschmaniella spp, Tetylenchus spp.

It is furthermore possible to control organisms from the subphylumProtozoa, especially from the order Coccidia, such as Eimeria spp.

The present composition preferably is active against Myzus persicae,Tetranychus urticae, Phaedon cochleariae, and/or Spodoptera frugiperda.

Furthermore, in case the biological control agent exhibits fungicidalactivity and/or the composition additionally comprises a fungicide, thecomposition according to the present invention has potent microbicidalactivity and can be used for control of unwanted microorganisms, such asfungi and bacteria, in crop protection and in the protection ofmaterials.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling unwantedmicroorganisms, characterized in that the inventive composition isapplied to the phytopathogenic fungi, phytopathogenic bacteria and/ortheir habitat.

Fungicides can be used in crop protection for control of phytopathogenicfungi. They are characterized by an outstanding efficacy against a broadspectrum of phytopathogenic fungi, including soilborne pathogens, whichare in particular members of the classes Plasmodiophoromycetes,Peronosporomycetes (Syn. Oomycetes), Chytridiomycetes, Zygomycetes,Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Deuteromycetes (Syn. Fungi imperfecti).Some fungicides are systemically active and can be used in plantprotection as foliar, seed dressing or soil fungicide. Furthermore, theyare suitable for combating fungi, which inter alia infest wood or rootsof plant.

Bactericides can be used in crop protection for control ofPseudomonadaceae, Rhizobiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceaeand Streptomycetaceae.

Non-limiting examples of pathogens of fungal diseases which can betreated in accordance with the invention include:

-   -   diseases caused by powdery mildew pathogens, for example        Blumeria species, for example Blumeria graminis; Podosphaera        species, for example Podosphaera leucotricha; Sphaerotheca        species, for example Sphaerotheca fuliginea; Uncinula species,        for example Uncinula necator; diseases caused by rust disease        pathogens, for example Gymnosporangium species, for example        Gymnosporangium sabinae; Hemileia species, for example Hemileia        vastatrix; Phakopsora species, for example Phakopsora pachyrhizi        and Phakopsora meibomiae; Puccinia species, for example Puccinia        recondite, P. triticina, P. graminis or P. striiformis; Uromyces        species, for example Uromyces appendiculatus;    -   diseases caused by pathogens from the group of the Oomycetes,        for example Albugo species, for example Algubo candida; Bremia        species, for example Bremia lactucae; Peronospora species, for        example Peronospora pisi or P. brassicae; Phytophthora species,        for example Phytophthora infestans; Plasmopara species, for        example Plasmopara viticola; Pseudoperonospora species, for        example Pseudoperonospora humuli or Pseudoperonospora cubensis;        Pythium species, for example Pythium ultimum;    -   leaf blotch diseases and leaf wilt diseases caused, for example,        by Alternaria species, for example Alternaria solani; Cercospora        species, for example Cercospora beticola; Cladiosporium species,        for example Cladiosporium cucumerinum; Cochliobolus species, for        example Cochliobolus sativus (conidia form: Drechslera, Syn:        Helminthosporium), Cochliobolus miyabeanus; Colletotrichum        species, for example Colletotrichum lindemuthanium; Cycloconium        species, for example Cycloconium oleaginum; Diaporthe species,        for example Diaporthe citri; Elsinoe species, for example        Elsinoe fawcettii; Gloeosporium species, for example        Gloeosporium laeticolor; Glomerella species, for example        Glomerella cingulata; Guignardia species, for example Guignardia        bidwelli; Leptosphaeria species, for example Leptosphaeria        maculans, Leptosphaeria nodorum; Magnaporthe species, for        example Magnaporthe grisea; Microdochium species, for example        Microdochium nivale; Mycosphaerella species, for example        Mycosphaerella graminicola, M. arachidicola and M. fijiensis;        Phaeosphaeria species, for example Phaeosphaeria nodorum;        Pyrenophora species, for example Pyrenophora teres, Pyrenophora        tritici repentis; Ramularia species, for example Ramularia        collo-cygni, Ramularia areola; Rhynchosporium species, for        example Rhynchosporium secalis; Septoria species, for example        Septoria apii, Septoria lycopersii; Typhula species, for example        Typhula incarnata; Venturia species, for example Venturia        inaequalis;    -   root and stem diseases caused, for example, by Corticium        species, for example Corticium graminearum; Fusarium species,        for example Fusarium oxysporum; Gaeumannomyces species, for        example Gaeumannomyces graminis; Rhizoctonia species, such as,        for example Rhizoctonia solani; Sarocladium diseases caused for        example by Sarocladium oryzae; Sclerotium diseases caused for        example by Sclerotium oryzae; Tapesia species, for example        Tapesia acuformis; Thielaviopsis species, for example        Thielaviopsis basicola;    -   ear and panicle diseases (including corn cobs) caused, for        example, by Alternaria species, for example Alternaria spp.;        Aspergillus species, for example Aspergillus flavus;        Cladosporium species, for example Cladosporium cladosporioides;        Claviceps species, for example Claviceps purpurea; Fusarium        species, for example Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella species, for        example Gibberella zeae; Monographella species, for example        Monographella nivalis; Septoria species, for example Septoria        nodorum;    -   diseases caused by smut fungi, for example Sphacelotheca        species, for example Sphacelotheca reiliana; Tilletia species,        for example Tilletia caries, T. controversa; Urocystis species,        for example Urocystis occulta; Ustilago species, for example        Ustilago nuda, U. nuda tritici; fruit rot caused, for example,        by Aspergillus species, for example Aspergillus flavus; Botrytis        species, for example Botrytis cinerea; Penicillium species, for        example Penicillium expansum and P. purpurogenum; Sclerotinia        species, for example Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; Verticilium        species, for example Verticilium alboatrum;    -   seed and soilborne decay, mould, wilt, rot and damping-off        diseases caused, for example, by Alternaria species, caused for        example by Alternaria brassicicola; Aphanomyces species, caused        for example by Aphanomyces euteiches; Ascochyta species, caused        for example by Ascochyta lentis; Aspergillus species, caused for        example by Aspergillus flavus; Cladosporium species, caused for        example by Cladosporium herbarum; Cochliobolus species, caused        for example by Cochliobolus sativus; (Conidiaform: Drechslera,        Bipolaris Syn: Helminthosporium); Colletotrichum species, caused        for example by Colletotrichum coccodes; Fusarium species, caused        for example by Fusarium culmorum; Gibberella species, caused for        example by Gibberella zeae; Macrophomina species, caused for        example by Macrophomina phaseolina; Monographella species,        caused for example by Monographella nivalis; Penicillium        species, caused for example by Penicillium expansum; Phoma        species, caused for example by Phoma lingam; Phomopsis species,        caused for example by Phomopsis sojae; Phytophthora species,        caused for example by Phytophthora cactorum; Pyrenophora        species, caused for example by Pyrenophora graminea; Pyricularia        species, caused for example by Pyricularia oryzae; Pythium        species, caused for example by Pythium ultimum; Rhizoctonia        species, caused for example by Rhizoctonia solani; Rhizopus        species, caused for example by Rhizopus oryzae; Sclerotium        species, caused for example by Sclerotium rolfsii; Septoria        species, caused for example by Septoria nodorum; Typhula        species, caused for example by Typhula incarnata; Verticillium        species, caused for example by Verticillium dahliae;    -   cancers, galls and witches' broom caused, for example, by        Nectria species, for example Nectria galligena; wilt diseases        caused, for example, by Monilinia species, for example Monilinia        laxa; leaf blister or leaf curl diseases caused, for example, by        Exobasidium species, for example Exobasidium vexans;    -   Taphrina species, for example Taphrina deformans;    -   decline diseases of wooden plants caused, for example, by Esca        disease, caused for example by Phaemoniella clamydospora,        Phaeoacremonium aleophilum and Fomitiporia mediterranea; Eutypa        dyeback, caused for example by Eutypa lata; Ganoderma diseases        caused for example by Ganoderma boninense; Rigidoporus diseases        caused for example by Rigidoporus lignosus;    -   diseases of flowers and seeds caused, for example, by Botrytis        species, for example Botrytis cinerea;    -   diseases of plant tubers caused, for example, by Rhizoctonia        species, for example Rhizoctonia solani; Helminthosporium        species, for example Helminthosporium solani;    -   Club root caused, for example, by Plasmodiophora species, for        example Plamodiophora brassicae;    -   diseases caused by bacterial pathogens, for example Xanthomonas        species, for example Xanthomonas campestris pv. oryzae;        Pseudomonas species, for example Pseudomonas syringae pv.        lachrymans; Erwinia species, for example Erwinia amylovora.

The following diseases of soya beans can be controlled with preference:

Fungal diseases on leaves, stems, pods and seeds caused, for example, byAlternaria leaf spot (Alternaria spec. atrans tenuissima), Anthracnose(Colletotrichum gloeosporoides dematium var. truncatum), brown spot(Septoria glycines), cercospora leaf spot and blight (Cercosporakikuchii), choanephora leaf blight (Choanephora infundibulifera trispora(Syn.)), dactuliophora leaf spot (Dactuliophora glycines), downy mildew(Peronospora manshurica), drechslera blight (Drechslera glycini),frogeye leaf spot (Cercospora sojina), leptosphaerulina leaf spot(Leptosphaerulina trifolii), phyllostica leaf spot (Phyllostictasojaecola), pod and stem blight (Phomopsis sojae), powdery mildew(Microsphaera diffusa), pyrenochaeta leaf spot (Pyrenochaeta glycines),rhizoctonia aerial, foliage, and web blight (Rhizoctonia solani), rust(Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Phakopsora meibomiae), scab (Sphacelomaglycines), stemphylium leaf blight (Stemphylium botryosum), target spot(Corynespora cassiicola).

Fungal diseases on roots and the stem base caused, for example, by blackroot rot (Calonectria crotalariae), charcoal rot (Macrophominaphaseolina), fusarium blight or wilt, root rot, and pod and collar rot(Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium orthoceras, Fusarium semitectum, Fusariumequiseti), mycoleptodiscus root rot (Mycoleptodiscus terrestris),neocosmospora (Neocosmospora vasinfecta), pod and stem blight (Diaporthephaseolorum), stem canker (Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora),phytophthora rot (Phytophthora megasperma), brown stem rot (Phialophoragregata), pythium rot (Pythium aphanidermatum, Pythium irregulare,Pythium debaryanum, Pythium myriotylum, Pythium ultimum), rhizoctoniaroot rot, stem decay, and damping-off (Rhizoctonia solani), sclerotiniastem decay (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), sclerotinia southern blight(Sclerotinia rolfsii), thielaviopsis root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola).

The inventive compositions can be used for curative orprotective/preventive control of phytopathogenic fungi. The inventiontherefore also relates to curative and protective methods forcontrolling phytopathogenic fungi by the use of the inventivecomposition, which is applied to the seed, the plant or plant parts, thefruit or the soil in which the plants grow.

The fact that the composition is well tolerated by plants at theconcentrations required for controlling plant diseases allows thetreatment of above-ground parts of plants, of propagation stock andseeds, and of the soil.

According to the invention all plants and plant parts can be treated. Byplants is meant all plants and plant populations such as desirable andundesirable wild plants, cultivars and plant varieties (whether or notprotectable by plant variety or plant breeder's rights). Cultivars andplant varieties can be plants obtained by conventional propagation andbreeding methods which can be assisted or supplemented by one or morebiotechnological methods such as by use of double haploids, protoplastfusion, random and directed mutagenesis, molecular or genetic markers orby bioengineering and genetic engineering methods. By plant parts ismeant all above ground and below ground parts and organs of plants suchas shoot, leaf, blossom and root, whereby for example leaves, needles,stems, branches, blossoms, fruiting bodies, fruits and seed as well asroots, corms and rhizomes are listed. Crops and vegetative andgenerative propagating material, for example cuttings, corms, rhizomes,runners and seeds also belong to plant parts.

The inventive composition, when it is well tolerated by plants, hasfavourable homeotherm toxicity and is well tolerated by the environment,is suitable for protecting plants and plant organs, for enhancingharvest yields, for improving the quality of the harvested material. Itcan preferably be used as crop protection composition. It is activeagainst normally sensitive and resistant species and against all or somestages of development.

Plants which can be treated in accordance with the invention include thefollowing main crop plants: maize, soya bean, alfalfa, cotton,sunflower, Brassica oil seeds such as Brassica napus (e.g., canola,rapeseed), Brassica rapa, B. juncea (e.g., (field) mustard) and Brassicacarinata, Arecaceae sp. (e.g., oilpalm, coconut), rice, wheat, sugarbeet, sugar cane, oats, rye, barley, millet and sorghum, triticale,flax, nuts, grapes and vine and various fruit and vegetables fromvarious botanic taxa, e.g., Rosaceae sp. (e.g., pome fruits such asapples and pears, but also stone fruits such as apricots, cherries,almonds, plums and peaches, and berry fruits such as strawberries,raspberries, red and black currant and gooseberry), Ribesioidae sp.,Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp.,Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp. (e.g., olive tree), Actinidaceae sp.,Lauraceae sp. (e.g., avocado, cinnamon, camphor), Musaceae sp. (e.g.,banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (e.g., coffee), Theaceaesp. (e.g., tea), Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (e.g., lemons, oranges,mandarins and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes,peppers, capsicum, aubergines, tobacco), Liliaceae sp., Compositae sp.(e.g., lettuce, artichokes and chicory—including root chicory, endive orcommon chicory), Umbelliferae sp. (e.g., carrots, parsley, celery andceleriac), Cucurbitaceae sp. (e.g., cucumbers—including gherkins,pumpkins, watermelons, calabashes and melons), Alliaceae sp. (e.g.,leeks and onions), Cruciferae sp. (e.g., white cabbage, red cabbage,broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pak choi, kohlrabi, radishes,horseradish, cress and chinese cabbage), Leguminosae sp. (e.g., peanuts,peas, lentils and beans—e.g., common beans and broad beans),Chenopodiaceae sp. (e.g., Swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot),Linaceae sp. (e.g., hemp), Cannabeacea sp. (e.g., cannabis), Malvaceaesp. (e.g., okra, cocoa), Papaveraceae (e.g., poppy), Asparagaceae (e.g.,asparagus); useful plants and ornamental plants in the garden and woodsincluding turf, lawn, grass and Stevia rebaudiana; and in each casegenetically modified types of these plants.

Preferably, plants which can be treated in accordance with the inventionare selected from the group consisting of fruit and vegetables fromvarious botanic taxa, e.g., Rosaceae sp. (e.g., pome fruits such asapples and pears, but also stone fruits such as apricots, cherries,almonds, plums and peaches, and berry fruits such as strawberries,raspberries, red and black currant and gooseberry), Ribesioidae sp.,Juglandaceae sp., Betulaceae sp., Anacardiaceae sp., Fagaceae sp.,Moraceae sp., Oleaceae sp. (e.g., olive tree), Actinidaceae sp.,Lauraceae sp. (e.g., avocado, cinnamon, camphor), Musaceae sp. (e.g.,banana trees and plantations), Rubiaceae sp. (e.g., coffee), Theaceaesp. (e.g., tea), Sterculiceae sp., Rutaceae sp. (e.g., lemons, oranges,mandarins and grapefruit); Solanaceae sp. (e.g., tomatoes, potatoes,peppers, capsicum, aubergines, tobacco), Liliaceae sp., Compositae sp.(e.g., lettuce, artichokes and chicory—including root chicory, endive orcommon chicory), Umbelliferae sp. (e.g., carrots, parsley, celery andceleriac), Cucurbitaceae sp. (e.g., cucumbers—including gherkins,pumpkins, watermelons, calabashes and melons), Alliaceae sp. (e.g.,leeks and onions), Cruciferae sp. (e.g., white cabbage, red cabbage,broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, pak choi, kohlrabi, radishes,horseradish, cress and chinese cabbage), Leguminosae sp. (e.g., peanuts,peas, lentils and beans—e.g., common beans and broad beans),Chenopodiaceae sp. (e.g., Swiss chard, fodder beet, spinach, beetroot),Linaceae sp. (e.g., hemp), Cannabeacea sp. (e.g., cannabis), Malvaceaesp. (e.g., okra, cocoa), Papaveraceae (e.g., poppy), Asparagaceae (e.g.,asparagus); useful plants and ornamental plants in the garden and woodsincluding turf, lawn, grass and Stevia rebaudiana; and in each casegenetically modified types of these plants.

More preferably, plants which can be treated in accordance with theinvention are selected from the group consisting of Chinese cabbage(Brassica pekinensis), French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and Maize (Zeamais).

Depending on the plant species or plant cultivars, their location andgrowth conditions (soils, climate, vegetation period, diet), using oremploying the composition according to the present invention thetreatment according to the invention may also result in super-additive(“synergistic”) effects. Thus, for example, by using or employinginventive composition in the treatment according to the invention,reduced application rates and/or a widening of the activity spectrumand/or an increase in the activity better plant growth, increasedtolerance to high or low temperatures, increased tolerance to drought orto water or soil salt content, increased flowering performance, easierharvesting, accelerated maturation, higher harvest yields, biggerfruits, larger plant height, greener leaf color, earlier flowering,higher quality and/or a higher nutritional value of the harvestedproducts, higher sugar concentration within the fruits, better storagestability and/or processability of the harvested products are possible,which exceed the effects which were actually to be expected.

At certain application rates of the inventive composition in thetreatment according to the invention may also have a strengtheningeffect in plants. The defense system of the plant against attack byunwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses ismobilized. Plant-strengthening (resistance-inducing) substances are tobe understood as meaning, in the present context, those substances orcombinations of substances which are capable of stimulating the defensesystem of plants in such a way that, when subsequently inoculated withunwanted phytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses, thetreated plants display a substantial degree of resistance to thesephytopathogenic fungi and/or microorganisms and/or viruses. Thus, byusing or employing composition according to the present invention in thetreatment according to the invention, plants can be protected againstattack by the abovementioned pathogens within a certain period of timeafter the treatment. The period of time within which protection iseffected generally extends from 1 to 10 days, preferably 1 to 7 days,after the treatment of the plants with the active compounds.

Plants and plant cultivars which are also preferably to be treatedaccording to the invention are resistant against one or more bioticstresses, i.e., said plants show a better defense against animal andmicrobial pests, such as against nematodes, insects, mites,phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and/or viroids.

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention are those plants which are resistant to one or more abioticstresses, i.e., that already exhibit an increased plant health withrespect to stress tolerance. Abiotic stress conditions may include, forexample, drought, cold temperature exposure, heat exposure, osmoticstress, flooding, increased soil salinity, increased mineral exposure,ozon exposure, high light exposure, limited availability of nitrogennutrients, limited availability of phosphorus nutrients, shadeavoidance. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars withthe composition of the present invention additionally increases theoverall plant health (cf. above).

Plants and plant cultivars which may also be treated according to theinvention, are those plants characterized by enhanced yieldcharacteristics i.e., that already exhibit an increased plant healthwith respect to this feature. Increased yield in said plants can be theresult of, for example, improved plant physiology, growth anddevelopment, such as water use efficiency, water retention efficiency,improved nitrogen use, enhanced carbon assimilation, improvedphotosynthesis, increased germination efficiency and acceleratedmaturation. Yield can furthermore be affected by improved plantarchitecture (under stress and non-stress conditions), including but notlimited to, early flowering, flowering control for hybrid seedproduction, seedling vigor, plant size, internode number and distance,root growth, seed size, fruit size, pod size, pod or ear number, seednumber per pod or ear, seed mass, enhanced seed filling, reduced seeddispersal, reduced pod dehiscence and lodging resistance. Further yieldtraits include seed composition, such as carbohydrate content, proteincontent, oil content and composition, nutritional value, reduction inanti-nutritional compounds, improved processability and better storagestability. Preferably, the treatment of these plants and cultivars withthe composition of the present invention additionally increases theoverall plant health (cf. above).

Plants that may be treated according to the invention are hybrid plantsthat already express the characteristic of heterosis or hybrid vigorwhich results in generally higher yield, vigor, health and resistancetowards biotic and abiotic stress factors. Such plants are typicallymade by crossing an inbred male-sterile parent line (the female parent)with another inbred male-fertile parent line (the male parent). Hybridseed is typically harvested from the male sterile plants and sold togrowers. Male sterile plants can sometimes (e.g., in corn) be producedby detasseling, i.e., the mechanical removal of the male reproductiveorgans (or males flowers) but, more typically, male sterility is theresult of genetic determinants in the plant genome. In that case, andespecially when seed is the desired product to be harvested from thehybrid plants it is typically useful to ensure that male fertility inthe hybrid plants is fully restored. This can be accomplished byensuring that the male parents have appropriate fertility restorer geneswhich are capable of restoring the male fertility in hybrid plants thatcontain the genetic determinants responsible for male-sterility. Geneticdeterminants for male sterility may be located in the cytoplasm.Examples of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) were for instance describedin Brassica species. However, genetic determinants for male sterilitycan also be located in the nuclear genome. Male sterile plants can alsobe obtained by plant biotechnology methods such as genetic engineering.A particularly useful means of obtaining male-sterile plants isdescribed in WO 89/10396 in which, for example, a ribonuclease such asbarnase is selectively expressed in the tapetum cells in the stamens.Fertility can then be restored by expression in the tapetum cells of aribonuclease inhibitor such as barstar.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may be treated according to the inventionare herbicide-tolerant plants, i.e., plants made tolerant to one or moregiven herbicides. Such plants can be obtained either by genetictransformation, or by selection of plants containing a mutationimparting such herbicide tolerance.

Herbicide-tolerant plants are for example glyphosate-tolerant plants,i.e., plants made tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate or salts thereof.Plants can be made tolerant to glyphosate through different means. Forexample, glyphosate-tolerant plants can be obtained by transforming theplant with a gene encoding the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphatesynthase (EPSPS). Examples of such EPSPS genes are the AroA gene (mutantCT7) of the bacterium Salmonella typhimurium, the CP4 gene of thebacterium Agrobacterium sp, the genes encoding a Petunia EPSPS, a TomatoEPSPS, or an Eleusine EPSPS. It can also be a mutated EPSPS.Glyphosate-tolerant plants can also be obtained by expressing a genethat encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerantplants can also be obtained by expressing a gene that encodes aglyphosate acetyl transferase enzyme. Glyphosate-tolerant plants canalso be obtained by selecting plants containing naturally-occurringmutations of the above-mentioned genes.

Other herbicide resistant plants are for example plants that are madetolerant to herbicides inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthase, such asbialaphos, phosphinothricin or glufosinate. Such plants can be obtainedby expressing an enzyme detoxifying the herbicide or a mutant glutaminesynthase enzyme that is resistant to inhibition. One such efficientdetoxifying enzyme is an enzyme encoding a phosphinothricinacetyltransferase (such as the bar or pat protein from Streptomycesspecies). Plants expressing an exogenous phosphinothricinacetyltransferase are also described.

Further herbicide-tolerant plants are also plants that are made tolerantto the herbicides inhibiting the enzyme hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenase(HPPD). Hydroxyphenylpyruvatedioxygenases are enzymes that catalyze thereaction in which para-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) is transformed intohomogentisate. Plants tolerant to HPPD-inhibitors can be transformedwith a gene encoding a naturally-occurring resistant HPPD enzyme, or agene encoding a mutated HPPD enzyme. Tolerance to HPPD-inhibitors canalso be obtained by transforming plants with genes encoding certainenzymes enabling the formation of homogentisate despite the inhibitionof the native HPPD enzyme by the HPPD-inhibitor. Tolerance of plants toHPPD inhibitors can also be improved by transforming plants with a geneencoding an enzyme prephenate dehydrogenase in addition to a geneencoding an HPPD-tolerant enzyme.

Still further herbicide resistant plants are plants that are madetolerant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors. Known ALS-inhibitorsinclude, for example, sulfonylurea, imidazolinone, triazolopyrimidines,pyrimidinyoxy(thio)benzoates, and/or sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinoneherbicides. Different mutations in the ALS enzyme (also known asacetohydroxyacid synthase, AHAS) are known to confer tolerance todifferent herbicides and groups of herbicides. The production ofsulfonylurea-tolerant plants and imidazolinone-tolerant plants isdescribed in WO 1996/033270. Other imidazolinone-tolerant plants arealso described. Further sulfonylurea- and imidazolinone-tolerant plantsare also described in for example WO 2007/024782.

Other plants tolerant to imidazolinone and/or sulfonylurea can beobtained by induced mutagenesis, selection in cell cultures in thepresence of the herbicide or mutation breeding as described for examplefor soybeans, for rice, for sugar beet, for lettuce, or for sunflower.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are insect-resistant transgenic plants, i.e., plants maderesistant to attack by certain target insects. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containinga mutation imparting such insect resistance.

An “insect-resistant transgenic plant”, as used herein, includes anyplant containing at least one transgene comprising a coding sequenceencoding:

-   -   1) An insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as the insecticidal        crystal proteins listed online at:    -   http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/Home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/, or        insecticidal portions thereof, e.g., proteins of the Cry protein        classes Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, Cry3Aa, or Cry3Bb or        insecticidal portions thereof; or    -   2) a crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof which is insecticidal in the presence of a second other        crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or a portion        thereof, such as the binary toxin made up of the Cry34 and Cry35        crystal proteins; or    -   3) a hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts of different        insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, such        as a hybrid of the proteins of 1) above or a hybrid of the        proteins of 2) above, e.g., the Cry1A.105 protein produced by        corn event MON98034 (WO 2007/027777); or    -   4) a protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation, such as the        Cry3Bb1 protein in corn events MON863 or MON88017, or the Cry3A        protein in corn event MIR604;    -   5) an insecticidal secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis        or Bacillus cereus, or an insecticidal portion thereof, such as        the vegetative insecticidal (VIP) proteins listed at:    -   http://www.lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/vip.html,        e.g., proteins from the VIP3Aa protein class; or    -   6) secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus which is insecticidal in the presence of a second        secreted protein from Bacillus thuringiensis or B. cereus, such        as the binary toxin made up of the VIP1A and VIP2A proteins; or    -   7) hybrid insecticidal protein comprising parts from different        secreted proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis or Bacillus        cereus, such as a hybrid of the proteins in 1) above or a hybrid        of the proteins in 2) above; or    -   8) protein of any one of 1) to 3) above wherein some,        particularly 1 to 10, amino acids have been replaced by another        amino acid to obtain a higher insecticidal activity to a target        insect species, and/or to expand the range of target insect        species affected, and/or because of changes introduced into the        encoding DNA during cloning or transformation (while still        encoding an insecticidal protein), such as the VIP3Aa protein in        cotton event COT102.

Of course, an insect-resistant transgenic plant, as used herein, alsoincludes any plant comprising a combination of genes encoding theproteins of any one of the above classes 1 to 8. In one embodiment, aninsect-resistant plant contains more than one transgene encoding aprotein of any one of the above classes 1 to 8, to expand the range oftarget insect species affected when using different proteins directed atdifferent target insect species, or to delay insect resistancedevelopment to the plants by using different proteins insecticidal tothe same target insect species but having a different mode of action,such as binding to different receptor binding sites in the insect.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Such plants can be obtainedby genetic transformation, or by selection of plants containing amutation imparting such stress resistance. Particularly useful stresstolerance plants include:

-   -   a) plants which contain a transgene capable of reducing the        expression and/or the activity of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase        (PARP) gene in the plant cells or plants    -   b) plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        capable of reducing the expression and/or the activity of the        poly(ADP-ribose)glycohydrolase (PARG) encoding genes of the        plants or plants cells.    -   c) plants which contain a stress tolerance enhancing transgene        coding for a plant-functional enzyme of the nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide salvage synthesis pathway including nicotinamidase,        nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase, nicotinic acid        mononucleotide adenyl transferase, nicotinamide adenine        dinucleotide synthetase or nicotine amide        phosphorybosyltransferase.

Plants or plant cultivars (obtained by plant biotechnology methods suchas genetic engineering) which may also be treated according to theinvention show altered quantity, quality and/or storage-stability of theharvested product and/or altered properties of specific ingredients ofthe harvested product such as:

-   -   1) transgenic plants which synthesize a modified starch, which        in its physical-chemical characteristics, in particular the        amylose content or the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the degree of        branching, the average chain length, the side chain        distribution, the viscosity behaviour, the gelling strength, the        starch grain size and/or the starch grain morphology, is changed        in comparison with the synthesised starch in wild type plant        cells or plants, so that this is better suited for special        applications;    -   2) transgenic plants which synthesize non starch carbohydrate        polymers or which synthesize non starch carbohydrate polymers        with altered properties in comparison to wild type plants        without genetic modification. Examples are plants producing        polyfructose, especially of the inulin and levan-type, plants        producing alpha 1,4 glucans, plants producing alpha-1,6 branched        alpha-1,4-glucans, plants producing alternan; and    -   3) transgenic plants which produce hyaluronan.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as cotton plants, with altered fibercharacteristics. Such plants can be obtained by genetic transformationor by selection of plants contain a mutation imparting such alteredfiber characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        cellulose synthase genes,    -   b) Plants, such as cotton plants, containing an altered form of        rsw2 or rsw3 homologous nucleic acids,    -   c) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose phosphate synthase,    -   d) Plants, such as cotton plants, with increased expression of        sucrose synthase,    -   e) Plants, such as cotton plants, wherein the timing of the        plasmodesmatal gating at the basis of the fiber cell is altered,        e.g., through downregulation of fiberselective ββ1,3-glucanase,    -   f) Plants, such as cotton plants, having fibers with altered        reactivity, e.g., through the expression of        N-acteylglucosaminetransferase gene including nodC and        chitinsynthase genes.

Plants or plant cultivars (that can be obtained by plant biotechnologymethods such as genetic engineering) which may also be treated accordingto the invention are plants, such as oilseed rape or related Brassicaplants, with altered oil profile characteristics. Such plants can beobtained by genetic transformation or by selection of plants contain amutation imparting such altered oil characteristics and include:

-   -   a) Plants, such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        high oleic acid content,    -   b) Plants such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a        low linolenic acid content,    -   c) Plant such as oilseed rape plants, producing oil having a low        level of saturated fatty acids.

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants which comprise one or more genes which encodeone or more toxins, such as the following which are sold under the tradenames YIELD GARD® (for example maize, cotton, soya beans), KNOCKOUT®(for example maize), BITEGARD® (for example maize), BT-XTRA® (forexample maize), STARLINK® (for example maize), BOLLGARD® (cotton),NUCOTN® (cotton), NUCOTN® 33B (cotton), NATUREGARD® (for example maize),PROTECTA® and NEWLEAF® (potato). Examples of herbicide-tolerant plantswhich may be mentioned are maize varieties, cotton varieties and soyabean varieties which are sold under the trade names ROUNDUP READY®(tolerance to glyphosate, for example maize, cotton, soya bean), LIBERTYLINK® (tolerance to phosphinotricin, for example oilseed rape), IMI®(tolerance to imidazolinones) and STS® (tolerance to sulphonylureas, forexample maize). Herbicide-resistant plants (plants bred in aconventional manner for herbicide tolerance) which may be mentionedinclude the varieties sold under the name CLEARFIELD® (for examplemaize).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, or acombination of transformation events, and that are listed for example inthe databases for various national or regional regulatory agenciesincluding Event 1143-14A (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 06/128569); Event 1143-51B (cotton, insect control, notdeposited, described in WO 06/128570); Event 1445 (cotton, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2002-120964 or WO02/034946); Event 17053 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-9843, described in WO 10/117737); Event 17314 (rice, herbicidetolerance, deposited as PTA-9844, described in WO 10/117735); Event281-24-236 (cotton, insect control—herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-6233, described in WO 05/103266 or US-A 2005-216969); Event3006-210-23 (cotton, insect control—herbicide tolerance, deposited asPTA-6233, described in US-A 2007-143876 or WO 05/103266); Event 3272(corn, quality trait, deposited as PTA-9972, described in WO 06/098952or US-A 2006-230473); Event 40416 (corn, insect control—herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-11508, described in WO 11/075593);Event 43A47 (corn, insect control—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-11509, described in WO 11/075595); Event 5307 (corn, insect control,deposited as ATCC PTA-9561, described in WO 10/077816); Event ASR-368(bent grass, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4816, describedin US-A 2006-162007 or WO 04/053062); Event B16 (corn, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2003-126634); EventBPS-CV127-9 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB No. 41603,described in WO 10/080829); Event CE43-67B (cotton, insect control,deposited as DSM ACC2724, described in US-A 2009-217423 or WO06/128573); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in US-A 2010-0024077); Event CE44-69D (cotton, insect control,not deposited, described in WO 06/128571); Event CE46-02A (cotton,insect control, not deposited, described in WO 06/128572); Event COT102(cotton, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2006-130175 orWO 04/039986); Event COT202 (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in US-A 2007-067868 or WO 05/054479); Event COT203 (cotton,insect control, not deposited, described in WO 05/054480); EventDAS40278 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10244,described in WO 11/022469); Event DAS-59122-7 (corn, insectcontrol—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA 11384, described inUS-A 2006-070139); Event DAS-59132 (corn, insect control—herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in WO 09/100188); Event DAS68416(soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-10442, described inWO 11/066384 or WO 11/066360); Event DP-098140-6 (corn, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8296, described in US-A 2009-137395 orWO 08/112019); Event DP-305423-1 (soybean, quality trait, not deposited,described in US-A 2008-312082 or WO 08/054747); Event DP-32138-1 (corn,hybridization system, deposited as ATCC PTA-9158, described in US-A2009-0210970 or WO 09/103049); Event DP-356043-5 (soybean, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8287, described in US-A 2010-0184079 orWO 08/002872); Event EE-1 (brinjal, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 07/091277); Event FI117 (corn, herbicide tolerance,deposited as ATCC 209031, described in US-A 2006-059581 or WO98/044140); Event GA21 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC209033, described in US-A 2005-086719 or WO 98/044140); Event GG25(corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209032, described in US-A2005-188434 or WO 98/044140); Event GHB119 (cotton, insectcontrol—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8398, described in WO08/151780); Event GHB614 (cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-6878, described in US-A 2010-050282 or WO 07/017186); Event Gill(corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC 209030, described in US-A2005-188434 or WO 98/044140); Event GM RZ13 (sugar beet, virusresistance, deposited as NCIMB-41601, described in WO 10/076212); EventH7-1 (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41158 or NCIMB41159, described in US-A 2004-172669 or WO 04/074492); Event JOPLIN1(wheat, disease tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A2008-064032); Event LL27 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited asNCIMB41658, described in WO 06/108674 or US-A 2008-320616); Event LL55(soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited as NCIMB 41660, described in WO06/108675 or US-A 2008-196127); Event LLcotton25 (cotton, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-3343, described in WO 03/013224 or US-A2003-097687); Event LLRICE06 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC-23352, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,468,747 or WO 00/026345); EventLLRICE601 (rice, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2600,described in US-A 2008-2289060 or WO 00/026356); Event LY038 (corn,quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-5623, described in US-A 2007-028322or WO 05/061720); Event MIR162 (corn, insect control, deposited asPTA-8166, described in US-A 2009-300784 or WO 07/142840); Event MIR604(corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2008-167456 orWO 05/103301); Event MON15985 (cotton, insect control, deposited as ATCCPTA-2516, described in US-A 2004-250317 or WO 02/100163); Event MON810(corn, insect control, not deposited, described in US-A 2002-102582);Event MON863 (corn, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-2605,described in WO 04/011601 or US-A 2006-095986); Event MON87427 (corn,pollination control, deposited as ATCC PTA-7899, described in WO11/062904); Event MON87460 (corn, stress tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-8910, described in WO 09/111263 or US-A 2011-0138504); EventMON87701 (soybean, insect control, deposited as ATCC PTA-8194, describedin US-A 2009-130071 or WO 09/064652); Event MON87705 (soybean, qualitytrait—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-9241, described in US-A2010-0080887 or WO 10/037016); Event MON87708 (soybean, herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA9670, described in WO 11/034704); EventMON87754 (soybean, quality trait, deposited as ATCC PTA-9385, describedin WO 10/024976); Event MON87769 (soybean, quality trait, deposited asATCC PTA-8911, described in US-A 2011-0067141 or WO 09/102873); EventMON88017 (corn, insect control—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCCPTA-5582, described in US-A 2008-028482 or WO 05/059103); Event MON88913(cotton, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-4854, described inWO 04/072235 or US-A 2006-059590); Event MON89034 (corn, insect control,deposited as ATCC PTA-7455, described in WO 07/140256 or US-A2008-260932); Event MON89788 (soybean, herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC PTA-6708, described in US-A 2006-282915 or WO 06/130436); EventMS11 (oilseed rape, pollination control—herbicide tolerance, depositedas ATCC PTA-850 or PTA-2485, described in WO 01/031042); Event MS8(oilseed rape, pollination control—herbicide tolerance, deposited asATCC PTA-730, described in WO 01/041558 or US-A 2003-188347); EventNK603 (corn, herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-2478, describedin US-A 2007-292854); Event PE-7 (rice, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 08/114282); Event RF3 (oilseed rape, pollinationcontrol—herbicide tolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-730, described in WO01/041558 or US-A 2003-188347); Event RT73 (oilseed rape, herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in WO 02/036831 or US-A2008-070260); Event T227-1 (sugar beet, herbicide tolerance, notdeposited, described in WO 02/44407 or US-A 2009-265817); Event T25(corn, herbicide tolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2001-029014or WO 01/051654); Event T304-40 (cotton, insect control—herbicidetolerance, deposited as ATCC PTA-8171, described in US-A 2010-077501 orWO 08/122406); Event T342-142 (cotton, insect control, not deposited,described in WO 06/128568); Event TC1507 (corn, insect control—herbicidetolerance, not deposited, described in US-A 2005-039226 or WO04/099447); Event VIP1034 (corn, insect control—herbicide tolerance,deposited as ATCC PTA-3925., described in WO 03/052073), Event 32316(corn, insect control-herbicide tolerance, deposited as PTA-11507,described in WO 11/084632), Event 4114 (corn, insect control-herbicidetolerance, deposited as PTA-11506, described in WO 11/084621).

Particularly useful transgenic plants which may be treated according tothe invention are plants containing transformation events, orcombination of transformation events, that are listed for example in thedatabases from various national or regional regulatory agencies (see forexample http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse.aspx andhttp://www.agbios.com/dbase.php).

EXAMPLES

For all examples efficiencies of the compositions comprising at leastone BCA and at least one specific insecticide has been determined by the“Colby-formula”: The expected efficacy of a given combination of twocompounds is calculated as follows (see Colby, S. R., “CalculatingSynergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations,” Weeds15, pp. 20-22, 1967):

-   -   If    -   X is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control for test compound A at a concentration of m ppm        respectively m g/ha,    -   Y is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control for test compound B at a concentration of n ppm        respectively n g/ha,    -   E is the efficacy expressed in % mortality of the untreated        control using the mixture of A and B at m and n ppm respectively        m and n g/ha,    -   then is        E=X+Y−(X×Y/100)

If the observed insecticidal efficacy of the combination is higher thanthe one calculated as “E”, then the combination of the two compounds ismore than additive, i.e., there is a synergistic effect.

In the following the following compounds/abbreviation for compounds areused:

-   -   SERENADE® MAX is a commercial product which contains the strain        Bacillus subtilis QST713 (also referred to as B9 according to        the present invention).    -   SONATA® is a commercial product which contains the strain        Bacillus pumilus QST2808 also referred to as B3 according to the        present invention).

The strain Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 which is mentioned above as B19, isreferred to in the following table as QST3002. A solution comprising8.5×10⁸ CFU/g (1.34%) of this strain has been used.

All ratios given below refer to biological control agent/sporepreparations of the respective biological control agents of around 10¹⁰cells or spores per gram preparation of said biological control agent(see definition for ratios above).

Example A

Myzus persicae—Spray Test (MYZUPE)

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone 1.5 parts by weightdimethylformamide Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weightalkylarylpolyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa spore suspension the spores are diluted with emulsifier—containingwater to the desired concentration.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf—disks infected with allinstars of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration.

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means all aphids have been killed; 0% means none of the aphids have beenkilled. The mortality values determined thus are recalculated using theColby-formula (see above).

According to the present application in this test e.g., the followingcombinations show a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds:

TABLE A1 Myzus Persicae-Test Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient ing/ha in % after 1^(d) SERENADE ® MAX (B9) 400 0 200 0 SONATA ® (B3) 1000  50 0 QST30002 (B19) 200 0 100 0 Clothianidin (I142)  0.8 70 SERENADE ® MAX + 200 + 0.8 obs.* cal.** Clothianidin 90 70 (1250:1)according to the invention SONATA ® + Clothianidin  50 + 0.8 obs.*cal.** (62.5: 1) 90 70 according to the invention QST30002 +Clothianidin 100 + 0.8 obs.* cal.** (125:1) 90 70 according to theinvention Thiamethoxam (I147)  2 0  0.4 0 SERENADE ® MAX + 400 + 0.4obs.* cal.** Thiamethoxam 70  0 (1250:1) according to the inventionQST30002 + Thiamethoxam 200 + 2 obs.* cal.** (100:1) 90  0 according tothe invention Imidacloprid (I144)  0.4 70   0.16 0 SERENADE ® MAX +400 + 0.16 obs.* cal.** Imidacloprid 70 0 (2500:1) according to theinvention SONATA ® + Imidacloprid 100 + 0.16 obs.* cal.** (625:1) 70 0according to the invention QST30002 + Imidacloprid 200 + 0.4 obs.*cal.** (500:1) 90 70 according to the invention *obs. = observedinsecticidal efficacy, ** cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

TABLE A2 Myzus Persicae-Test Concentration Efficacy Active Ingredient ing/ha in % after 6^(d) SERENADE ® MAX (B9) 400 0 200 0 SONATA ® (B3) 1000 50 0 Streptomyces galbus AQ 6047 3000 17.5 (B16) 2000 0 QST30002 (B19)200 0 100 0 Sulfoxaflor (I149) 0.4 70 0.08 70 SERENADE ® MAX +  400 +0.4  obs.* cal.** Sulfoxaflor   100 70 (1250:1)   according to theinvention   SONATA ® + Sulfoxaflor  100 + 0.4  obs.* cal.** (1250:1)  100 70 according to the invention   QST30002 + Sulfoxaflor  200 + 0.08obs.* cal.** (250:1) 90 70 according to the invention Thiacloprid (I146)0.8 70 0.16 0 SONATA ® + Thiacloprid  100 + 0.16 obs.* cal.** (625:1) 900 according to the invention Streptomyces galbus +  2000 + 0.16  obs.*cal.** Thiacloprid 90 0 (625:1) according to the invention QST30002 +Thiacloprid  100 + 0.8  obs.* cal.** (125:1) 100 70 according to theinvention Clothianidin (I142) 4 70 Streptomyces galbus + 2000 + 4  obs.* cal.** Clothianidin 90 70 (500:1) according to the inventionThiamethoxam (I147) 0.16 0 Streptomyces galbus +  2000 + 0.16  obs.*cal.** Thiamethoxam 90 0 (12500:1) according to the inventionImidacloprid (I144) 0.032 0 Streptomyces galbus +  3000 + 0.032 obs.*cal.** Imidacloprid 90 17.5 (93750:1) according to the inventionSpinosad (I151) 20 0 B. subtilis 713 Variante + 100 + 20  obs.* cal.**Spinosad 70 0 (5:1) according to the invention *obs. = observedinsecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

Example B

Tetranychus urticae—Spray Test, OP-Resistant

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone 1.5 parts by weightdimethylformamide Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weightalkylarylpolyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa spore suspension the spores are diluted with emulsifier—containingwater to the desired concentration.

French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) which are heavily infested with allstages of the two spotted spidermite (Tetranychus urticae), are sprayedwith a preparation of the active ingredient of the desiredconcentration.

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means all spider mites have been killed and 0% means none of the spidermites have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula (see above).

According to the present application in this test e.g., the followingcombinations show a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds:

TABLE B1 Tetranychus urticae-Test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 2^(d) QST30002 (B19) 100 0 Spinosad(I151) 20 50 QST30002 + Spinosad 100 + 20 obs.* cal.** (5:1) 70 50according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

TABLE B2 Tetranychus urticae-test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 6^(d) SONATA ® (B3) 100 0 Spinosad(I151) 4 0 SONATA ® + Spinosad 100 + 4 obs.* cal.** (25:1) 20 0according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

Example C

Phaedon cochleariae—Spray Test

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight of acetone 1.5 parts by weight ofdimethylformamide Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weight of alkylarylpolyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa spore suspension the spores are diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration.

Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) leaf-disks are sprayed with apreparation of the active ingredient of the desired concentration. Oncedry, the leaf disks are infested with mustard beetle larvae (Phaedoncochleariae).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means all beetle larvae have been killed and 0% means none of the beetlelarvae have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula (see above).

According to the present application in this test e.g., the followingcombinations show a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds:

TABLE C1 Phaedon cochleariae-Test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 2^(d) QST30002 (B19) 100 0 Clothianidin(I142) 20 0 QST30002 + 100 + 20 obs.* cal.** Clothianidin 83 0 (5:1)according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

TABLE C2 Phaedon cochleariae-Test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 6^(d) SERENADE MAX ® (B9) 400 0 200 0SONATA ® (B3) 100 0 50 0 Streptomyces galbus AQ 3000 16.5 6047 (B16)2000 0 Spinetoram (I150) 0.8 33 0.16 0 SERENADE MAX ® +  200 + 0.8 obs.* cal.** Spinetoram 67 33 (250:1) according to the inventionSONATA ® + Spinetoram  50 + 0.8 obs.* cal.** (62.5:1) 100 33 accordingto the invention Streptomyces galbus +  3000 + 0.16  obs.* cal.**Spinetoram 83 16.5 (18750:1) according to the invention Spinosad (I151)4 0 Streptomyces galbus + 2000 + 4   obs.* cal.** Spinosad 33 0 (500:1)according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy,**cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

Example D

Spodoptera frugiperda—Spray Test

Solvent: 78.0 parts by weight acetone 1.5 parts by weightdimethylformamide Emulsifier: 0.5 parts by weightalkylarylpolyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of the active compound, 1 part byweight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier—containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa spore suspension the spores are diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration.

Maize (Zea mais) leaf sections are sprayed with a preparation of theactive ingredient of the desired concentration. Once dry, the leafsections are infested with fall armyworm larvae (Spodoptera frugiperda).

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means all caterpillars have been killed and 0% means none of thecaterpillars have been killed. The mortality values determined thus arerecalculated using the Colby-formula (see above).

According to the present application in this test e.g., the followingcombinations show a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds:

TABLE D1 Spodoptera frugiperda-test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 2^(d) SONATA ® (B3) 100 0 QST30002(B19) 100 0 Spinosad (I151) 0.8 0 SONATA ® + Spinosad 100 + 0.8  obs.*cal.** (125:1) 50 0 according to the invention Spinetoram (I150) 0.16 67QST30002 + 100 + 0.16 obs.* cal.** Spinetoram 100 67 (625:1) accordingto the invention *obs. = observed insecticidal efficacy, **cal. =efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

TABLE D2 Spodoptera frugiperda-test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in g ai/ha in % after 6^(d) SERENADE MAX ® (B9) 400 0QST30002 (B19) 100 0 Spinosad (I151) 0.16 0 SERENADE MAX ® + 400 + 0.16obs.* cal.** Spinosad 33 0 (500:1) according to the invention *obs. =observed insecticidal efficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated withColby-formula

Example E

Myzus persicae—Spray Test

Solvent: 7 parts by weight of dimethylformamide Emulsifier: 2 part byweight of alkylaryl polyglycolether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weightof active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent andemulsifier, and the concentrate is diluted with emulsifier-containingwater to the desired concentration. To produce a suitable preparation ofa spore suspension the spores are diluted with emulsifier—containingwater to the desired concentration. Ammonium salt and/or penetrationenhancer in a dosage of 1000 ppm are added to the desired concentrationif necessary.

Cabbage leaves (Brassica oleracea) which are heavily infested by thegreen peach aphid (Myzus persicae) are treated by being sprayed with thepreparation of the active compound of the desired concentration.

After the specified period of time, mortality in % is determined. 100%means all the aphids have been killed; 0% means none of the aphids havebeen killed. The mortality values determined thus are recalculated usingthe Colby-formula (see above).

According to the present application in this test e.g., the followingcombinations show a synergistic effect in comparison to the singlecompounds:

TABLE E Myzus persicae-Spray Test Concentration Efficacy ActiveIngredient in ppm in % after 1^(d) SERENADE MAX ® (B9) 200 0 Thiacloprid(I146) 1 35 SERENADE MAX ® + 200 + 1 obs.* cal.** Thiacloprid 55 35(200:1) according to the invention *obs. = observed insecticidalefficacy, **cal. = efficacy calculated with Colby-formula

We claim:
 1. A composition comprising: at least one biological controlagent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis AQ713(NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL AccessionNo. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRL Accession No.B-50455), and at least one insecticide selected from the groupconsisting of Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam, wherein combination of theat least one biological control agent and the at least one insecticideresults in a synergistic effect.
 2. The composition according to claim1, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillussubtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661).
 3. The compositionaccording to claim 2, wherein the insecticide is Imidacloprid.
 4. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of the at leastone biological control agent to the at least one insecticide is in therange of 1:100 to 20000:1.
 5. The composition according to claim 2,wherein the insecticide is Thiamethoxam.
 6. The composition according toclaim 1, wherein the weight ration of the at least one biologicalcontrol agent to the at least one isecticide is in the range of 1:50 to10000:1.
 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRLAccession No. B-50421).
 8. The composition according to claim 1additionally comprising at least one auxiliary selected from the groupconsisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters, carriers,emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners and adjuvants.9. A seed treated with the composition according to claim
 1. 10. Theseed according to claim 9, wherein the at least one biological controlagent in the composition is Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No.B-21661).
 11. The seed according to claim 10, wherein the insecticide inthe composition is Imidacloprid.
 12. The seed according to claim 10,wherein the insecticide in the composition is Thiamethoxam.
 13. A methodfor reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts as well as lossesin harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects, mites, nematodesand/or phytopathogens comprising simultaneously or sequentially applyingat least one biological control agent selected from the group consistingof Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillussubtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455), and at least one insecticideselected from the group consisting of Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam,onto the plant, plant parts, harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant'slocus of growth, wherein combination of the at least one biologicalcontrol agent and the at least one insecticide results in a synergisticeffect.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least onebiological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No.B-21661).
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the insecticideis Imidacloprid.
 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein theinsecticide is Thiamethoxam.
 17. A kit-of-parts comprising: at least onebiological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillussubtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ30002(NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ 30004 (NRRLAccession No. B-50455), and at least one insecticide selected from thegroup consisting of Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam, in a spatiallyseparated arrangement, wherein combination of the at least onebiological control agent and the at least one insecticide results in asynergistic effect.
 18. The kit-of-parts according to claim 17, whereinthe at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ713(NRRL Accession No. B-21661).
 19. The kit-of-parts according to claim18, wherein the insecticidde is Imidacloprid.
 20. The kit-of-partsaccording to claim 18, wherein the insecticide is Thiamethoxam.